City streets to be transformed to provide improved transport choices

Work is set to begin to transform streets in Derby city centre to help deliver improved transport choices.

The improvements in Babington Lane, Gower Street and St Peter’s Street aim to make it easier and safer for cyclists, pedestrians, drivers, and public transport to travel in the area, while also reducing congestion and pollution.

The work, which is part Derby City Council’s Mobility Programme, follows an “overwhelmingly” positive response to a public consultation.

Councillor Steve Hassall, the city council’s cabinet member for regeneration, decarbonisation and strategic planning and transport, said: “We were pleased with the number of positive responses to our proposals for Babington Lane, Gower Street and St Peter’s Street and are looking forward to starting work in the area.

“These works represent just part of our on-going commitment to not only provide an improved travel experience in the city centre but also to improve the overall look, feel and standard of our city centre streets to a level that residents rightly expect.

“This project is not the final word in delivering better transport for the city, and we’re looking forward to delivering further improvements going forward.”

The work will see 15 new level access blue badge parking spaces created in Gower Street, making the area more accessible for all residents.

Pavements and roads in the area will be widened and resurfaced and new loading bays and improved bus bays will also be included to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow.

A wider cycle lane and paths will be introduced, as well as improved cycle parking.

The crossings at Babington Lane and Gower Street will also be improved to make crossing easier for cyclists and pedestrians.

As part of the improvements, more green bus stops will be installed, with features such as a ‘living roof’ and solar panels. New Green Taxi bays will also be included to help reduce pollution.

Work is due to start this month and is expected to be completed by next summer.

The city council said it will be working with businesses and transport operators to ensure minimal disruption.

The works are part of Nottingham and Derby’s Transforming Cities programme, funded by the Department of Transport and delivered by Eurovia on behalf of the city council.

Working in partnership, Nottingham City and Derby City Councils secured £161 million from the Department for Transport to invest in local transport infrastructure that will improve sustainable transport, support growth, and encourage more low carbon journeys.