Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust Ltd are pleased to announce the opening of the new season to the public of its Derby Riverboat trip service on the river Derwent. Following a sell-out service last year the public have been keen to get back on the river and repeated requests have been made for tickets over the summer.
The service was closed during October last year to avoid forecast high water levels and the riverboat was securely moored up river waiting for spring. Over the winter essential maintenance has been undertaken and progress made on plans for a permanent pontoon to accommodate full disabled access. Permission for the structure was granted in February and construction is planned for the summer.
Until that time the Riverboat will again operate from Causey Bridge using the same pool-style ladder access as last year. The first day of operation will be Saturday 1 April and the service will run with sailing times of 12.30pm, 1.45pm, and 3pm each Saturday and Sunday and Bank Holidays. Additional Wednesday sailings will commence from 17 May.
The boat is a traditionally built steel hulled narrowboat measuring 50ft by 8’6” and designed to carry 12 passengers and crew. The boat has a 600mm draft and weighs in excess of 16 tonnes. The route is a fixed one running on the river Derwent in Derby city between the Phoenix Green, opposite the Silk Mill – Museum of Making in the city centre and Darley Abbey. The trip takes about 45 minutes travelling slowly upriver, turning and returning downstream to the mooring point.
Trust Chairman Chris Madge said:
We are delighted to invite passengers on board for the new season. We are pleased that the planning process and required permissions have now been secured for the pontoon and look forward to offering a fully accessible service. We are also grateful for the many volunteers ready to welcome people aboard and explain the river, the boat and how we plan to get the Derby Canal restored. We also welcome the vision of the City Council, which sees this as the first stage in opening up the river for the public to enjoy.
A Derby City Council spokesperson said:
We were delighted to see this service launch last year and are so excited for the upcoming 2023 relaunch. Tickets sold out incredibly fast last year and this popularity shows that the people of Derby and beyond are interested in seeing the river from this new vantage point.
The riverboat forms one attraction in the growing list of Derby attractions and we look forward to promoting it and other offerings, including the Cathedral, Museum of Making, Pickford’s House and others, and putting Derby on the national tourist map.
Tickets are available now and can be booked online at the Livetickets website. Alternatively, call 01332 255800 or book tickets in person at the Sales and Information Centre, Guildhall Theatre, Market Place, Derby DE1 3AE.
For more information about the boat, its facilities and the route, see the Trust's website or the online ebrochure.