New Darley Abbey Mills Bridge
Business case overview
When the original Darley Abbey Mills Bridge was closed in 2022, the Council acted swiftly to implement a medium-term solution – Walters Walkway – while working on plans for a permanent bridge.
We have been working with a specialist transport planning consultant, with specialisms in sustainable transport scheme appraisal, to develop a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for a new bridge.
The SOBC establishes whether a project is viable and will support our request to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) for funding, it:
- establishes project scope
- establishes strategic fit and sets out the case for change
- identifies key issues
- identifies a preferred way forward.
Case for change and objectives
The original structure poses significant safety risks.
The medium-term solution continues to present a financial pressure on the Council, while also having a negative impact on the attractiveness of the area.
While the medium-term solution is accessible to wheeled users, a permanent replacement would better accommodate active travel modes and motor vehicles during emergencies.
Recent issues with the medium-term solution have highlighted the need for a permanent solution to maintain access to the Mills complex, and resilience to emergencies in the area.
Objectives
Active travel: enhance safety and connectivity for cycling and walking, supporting active and sustainable trips, linking with existing local networks and wider regional routes.
Economy: maintain access to the regeneration area of Darley Abbey Mills for local residents and businesses.
Resilience: maintain resilience against extreme weather and emergency conditions.
Heritage: enhance the sense of place, supporting the heritage and environmental offer of the local area.
Safety: provide a safe crossing for users.
Progress to date and timeline
It is important we build a robust evidence base for funding and carry out survey work and analysis to inform detailed designs. During the feasibility stage we have been gathering evidence and data and undertaking detailed assessments including:
- active travel user surveys
- Heritage Statement Baseline Understanding and Geoarchaeological Assessment report
- Engineering Options report
- Option Assessment report
- Strategic Outline Business Case
[Some of the documents on this page are not fully accessible. If you need the information in an accessible format, please contact the City Sustainability department].
Timeline
We are now developing a milestone plan for key project development activities to take us through development to delivery, this includes consulting colleagues across different specialisms including heritage and planning and key organisations like the Environment Agency.
Current erosion issues may change our timescales and funding requirements. We will provide an update on programme later this year.
In March 2026, the EMCCA Board will consider a recommended 3-year allocation of capital and revenue funding to support development of detailed designs and an outline and full business cases between 2026/27 to 2028/29.
This will prepare the project for delivery from 2029, subject to delivery funding allocations.
Viable option
From the long list of options for a future river crossing generated, two viable options emerged that would provide high value for money.
- An option to install an active travel modes-only bridge and
- An option to install an active travel modes-only and accommodate vehicles responding to an emergency.
As there is no significant cost differential between either option and because there are key benefits to providing emergency vehicle access we will promote an option for a bridge that provides access for active travel modes and accommodates vehicles responding to an emergency.
This option will provide the following benefits:
- safer and more reliable journeys, particularly for active travel users
- increased pedestrian and cycling mode share
- reduced casualties
- reduced emissions
- reduced car dependency
- better access to employment opportunities at the Mills site
- better access for customers at the Mills businesses.
- more resilient in the face of extreme weather events and emergencies.
Access for emergency service vehicles is important to the Council because:
- the motor vehicular route through the Mills complex is constrained by the existing layout of buildings, preventing access by large vehicles making an access from the west to businesses and residential properties within the Mills complex, an essential safety requirement for an emergency response
- two points of access for emergency services will provide resilience should one access be affected by maintenance or an unplanned event
- an emergency access to the west of the Mills complex and across the river Derwent will provide mitigation for both the emergency services and residents and business occupiers affected during flooding events and will provide resilience for emergency response planning.