Notes for suggested path from Rowsley to Church Road, Darley Dale in conjunction with Peak Rail. November 2010.
This report is a discussion report with a view to a planning application being submitted for the section of the route from Rowsley to Church Lane in Darley Dale. This fits with the wider picture of a route linking the rail heads at Buxton and Matlock.
The full report can be downloaded here (6MB):
Rowsley Church Road
The Route - Matlock to Rowsley. February 2009.
The DVCG have prepared a proposal for the route between Matlock and Rowsley (see text below; currently only overview map is included). The route essentially follows the Peak Rail line - giving the most direct route, with best links to the communities along the valley. Concessionary paths exist along much of the route and it is hoped that the upgrade of these paths will benefit the community, tourists and Peak Rail users.
The proposal can also be downloaded (3.8MB):
DV Greenway Proposal
The Derwent Valley Greenway Proposal: Matlock to Rowsley
Revised edition; 5/2/09
The Derwent Valley Cycleway Group (DVCG) is a group of local people campaigning for the provision of a safe, traffic-free multi-user route as an alternative to the A6. Our ultimate objective is for the route to run all the way from Derby to Monsal Head. However, at present we are concentrating on the section between Matlock and Bakewell with the first priority being Matlock to Rowsley.
The route would have many benefits for local communities by enabling traffic-free commuting as well as leisure cycling and walking for all, including the elderly, accommodating pushchairs, wheelchairs and horse riding. It could also enhance tourism in the Derwent Valley by linking tourist sites and railway
stations.
With growing concerns about obesity and health in our society as well as issues relating to climate change and pollution, we believe that a safe traffic-free route would provide a great deal
of welcome benefits to our community.
The following document sets out why a Greenway through the Derwent Valley, initially from Matlock to Rowsley, would be beneficial and how it could be achieved. A large part of the infrastructure has been in place for a long time and is not yet being used to it’s full potential.
Index
1 Introduction
2 Background
3 Aim
4 Objectives
5 Benefits to Peak Rail
6 Overview map
7 Matlock Bridge to pumping station option 1
8 Matlock Bridge to pumping station option 2
9 Pumping Station to Station Road
10 Old Road Detail
11 Whitworth Park to Church Road
12 Station Road Council Depot Detail
13 Church Road to Nanny Goat Crossing
14 Rowsley Station South Car Park Detail
15 Nanny Goat Crossing to Rowsley
16 Riverside Path South of Rowsley
17 Riverside Path Cross Sections
18 Government policy Framework
Introduction
The majority of journeys people make are short. Nearly half of the journeys are under two miles according to the National Travel Survey—a distance easily managed by bicycle or on foot. Equally about 70% of typical employees of a typical UK company or organisation will travel to and
from work by car. Around 75% of these journeys are under 5 miles.
Increasing participation levels in cycling and walking is now viewed as vital in helping to reduce congestion and pollution. Provision of appropriate facilities to assist travel on foot and by bicycle for commuting and leisure would have lasting benefits for the health of individuals and the environment. It gives people choice. Local business would benefit because of less lost work time due to illness. The local economy would also gain from increased visitor numbers.
1
Background
The Derwent Valley is a natural corridor along an outstanding area boasting at its northern end the Peak District National Park, the second most visited national park in the world. Further south Cromford is now recognised as part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. With many villages and towns placed along the Derwent valley the population is concentrated in a narrow ribbon along
the valley bottom. This places demand on space available and is also leading to increasingly busy and challenging road conditions for local people and visitors alike. Provision of a greenway through the Derwent Valley would have many benefits.
2
Aim
To provide a route through the Derwent Valley for tourism, commuting, leisure and school access that is:
• free as possible from motorised traffic
• safe for users of a wide age and ability group
• practical and safe for pedestrians, cyclists, pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters
• as close as possible to centres of population and centres of interest ie work, shops, tourism, leisure
centre
• a level route avoiding any steep gradients, to encourage use by people of all abilities
• a spinal route that other routes can link to
3
Objectives
The objective is to create a continuous 8km off-road multi-user route or Greenway from Matlock to Rowsley in order to:
• Encourage more people to walk or cycle for commuting and for leisure
• Increase health and well-being of local residents and visitors
• Reduce road accidents involving walkers and cyclists
• Reduce car journeys
• Reduce traffic congestion and associated noise and pollution
• Reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
• Improve access to local green space
• Enhance tourism in the Derwent Valley and link routes and tourist sites
• Enable more people to visit the Peak District without bringing their cars by linking with mainline rail services and Peak Rail
There is considerable interest from Peak Park, as well as other national and local organisations, in reducing reliance on the motor car to visit the area (98% of visitors to Bakewell - for instance - come by car!). With the nearest main railway stations at Matlock and Buxton Peak Rail could play a key role in
helping to meet this objective - not only by the provision of a linked rail service to and from Matlock
but also by facilitating and supporting the creation of this Greenway.
4
Benefits to Peak Rail
• easier access to Rail stations
• reduced trespass due to better path conditions
• maintenance of path by local authority
• increased leisure use will increase customers to Peak Rail
• increased use of Peak Rail facilities such as café, bookshop etc.
• increased use will reduce vandalism problems
Condition of the path beside the railway is poor. A bad surface initially and poor maintenance has lead to pedestrians using the trackbed area as there is less mud, dog soiling and vegitational growth.
A wide well maintained path will be more desirable to use than the trackbed, which itself is currently more desirable than the present concessionary path. Improved crossings over rail with good anti trespass guards along with a high quality path surface of useable width will improve rail safety.
Path maintenance is included in Peak Rail’s lease. Currently not maintained to standard specified.
5
Pages 7-17 with more detailed maps have not been included here. They can be seen in the download version.
Government Policy Framework
The importance of encouraging behavioural change in travel choices is now a crucial part of transport policy at national level. The aim is to influence travel behaviour towards more sustainable travel options (walking, cycling, using public transport, car sharing etc.). This is reflected in local plans by:
Derbyshire Local Transport Plan priorities include “improving local accessibility and healthy travel choices, safer roads and communities, reduced congestion and a strong local economy, better air quality and environment.”
The Derbyshire Dales Local Plan includes objectives to “To create an environment that ensures new development contributes towards the overall reduction in the reliance of the private car, to facilitate the development of extensions to the existing public transport, cycling and pedestrian network and to safeguard land necessary for the implementation of transportation projects that contribute to the achievement of sustainable development” (Chapter 7, Transportation)
Darley Dale Town Council is currently preparing a Town Plan. Cycling and footpaths were highlighted as priorities following the Town Plan questionnaire.
The Derwent Valley Greenway appears as a proposal for extension in the Rights of Way Improvement Plan (2007-2012) (section 2, Greenways) and as a primary proposed route in the West Derbyshire and High Peak Greenways Strategy.
