Cabinet will be asked to approve the transfer of ownership of the bridge to Derby City Council and acceptance of £2m East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) funding.

At the same time, Cabinet will also be asked to approve an additional £2m funding from EMCCA to enable the urgent demolition of the original bridge. This is in addition  to the £2.4m for a permanent replacement bridge that was agreed at the EMCCA board meeting on 9 March 2026.

This will then allow Walters Walkway to be reopened, restoring pedestrian access to the mills across the Derwent.

The original 1930s structure currently belongs to the Crown Estate, who obtained the title by default and therefore do not have the usual responsibilities associated with ownership.

A 2022 survey showed a dangerous level of deterioration, and the bridge was closed on engineer’s advice. Since then, the Council has been diligently working to restore permanent access to the Mills complex.  

The Council acted swiftly to implement a medium-term solution – Walters Walkway – while working on plans for a long-term solution. The recent closure of this temporary bridge, due to safety concerns with the original structure, has highlighted how vital this scheme is for the community. 

Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said:

Since the original structure closed in May 2022, we have been hard at work looking at options to restore permanent access to Darley Abbey Mills. This is a complex situation involving environmental change, historic infrastructure, and land ownership challenges on a UNESCO World Heritage.

The bridge has never been a Council asset, but we remain committed to finding a solution that benefits the local area. Taking ownership is the way to do this, and once this is agreed, we will be able to begin the essential work required to first reopen Walter’s Walkway and then deliver a new, permanent river crossing.

I would also like to extend my thanks to the Mayor of the East Midlands, Clare Ward, for her continued support with this scheme; a testament to collaborative working in Derby.

Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: 

This funding shows our commitment, through the East Midlands Combined County Authority, to work closely with Derby City Council to get things moving.

I know how frustrating the closures have been for everyone. That’s why we’ve supported funding both for a new permanent bridge and for the urgent work needed to safely reopen Walters Walkway as soon as possible.

This is what working together across the region should look like -  local knowledge backed by regional support to get results.

Cabinet will discuss the transfer of ownership and the acceptance of funding at the Cabinet Meeting on Wednesday 8 April. You can view the papers on the Derby City Council Democracy Portal.

The Strategic Outline Business Case and other details have been published on the Derby City Council website.