One of Derby City Centre’s key routes has completed a major overhaul, connecting key city centre sites like Becketwell Live, The Condor apartment complex and Derby Market Hall.
The transport improvements - which will enhance appearance, improve air quality, and encourage more sustainable journeys - concluded with the resurfacing of Corporation Street, Victoria Street and Albert Street
Among the improvements are wider footpaths and a new segregated cycle lane, making it much easier for residents and visitors to choose low-emission, active travel options to move through the heart of the city centre.
Improved bus bays, coupled with the segregated cycle lane and a permanent one-way system will allow for improved traffic flow and lower emissions, benefitting the health of visitors and residents alike. Bus users will also benefit from new street lighting around bus stops, making them a safer, more comfortable place to wait.
New living roof bus shelters will be installed, making the area more visually appealing and providing food sources and habitats for a wide variety of pollinating insects.
On top of the green bus shelters, the area will also benefit from an extensive greening programme, with new planters being installed to give a fresh, vibrant feel to this vital city centre route. The public realm enhancements will also complement the proposed improvements on Osnabruck Square.
A number of benches have been incorporated into these new planters, giving visitors a place to sit and enjoy a greener city centre.
The completion of this scheme also marks the end of Transforming Cities programme in Derby, after Derby and Nottingham City Councils secured £161m from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund. This project has seen improvements made to local transport infrastructure around the city. improving sustainable transport, supporting growth and encouraging more low carbon journeys.
Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said:
I’m delighted that work on Corporation Street, Victoria Street and Albert Street is now complete. This has been a very visible scheme for the city and now people will be able to see the benefits.
A vital element of the Transforming Cities schemes, is creating an environment where we can make the city centre a healthier place for our communities to live, work and enjoy.
We can also now celebrate the completion of the Transforming Cities programme, which has delivered infrastructure improvements across the city. I’m proud of all that we have achieved throughout this project, but rest assured we will continue to champion sustainable and active travel as we continue to deliver a greener Derby.