Cycling

Our chairman Derek Latham met with the local MP John Whitby to talk through the ambitions of the cycle. John said “This will be such an incredible addition the Derbyshire tourism”

Derbyshire County Council is assessing potential routes between Knowleston Place in Matlock and High Peak Junction in Cromford. The proposed walking, wheeling and cycling route would complete a key missing section of the White Peak Loop and form part of the proposed Derwent Valley Trail.

Derbyshire cyclist and adventurer Leigh Timmis has become a Patron of the Derwent Valley Trust. Leigh cycled 44,000 miles across 51 countries and has set records for the greatest distance ridden in seven days and the fastest cycle across Europe.

Planning permission for the Belper West Bank section of the Derwent Valley Cycleway was granted subject to 17 conditions. Work now turns to resolving those conditions, fundraising and assembling the people and skills needed to deliver the route.

Matlock Civic Association, Matlock Bath Development Association and the Derwent Valley Trust Cycleway Project have joined forces to seek funding for detailed design work on a traffic-free Matlock–Matlock Bath route. The scenic east-bank alignment must navigate river crossings, ancient woodland, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and the World Heritage Site.

Work on the Belper West Bank route identified four surface treatments suited to different conditions: tarmac, compacted earth, Grassmat and boardwalk. The mix reflects flood risk, tree-root protection, wildlife habitat and the character of the riverside setting.