Bridges for Cyclists (Part 1) - Here in Derby

We would not get far on our bikes without the use of bridges.
They are everywhere, crossing rivers, roads, railways, canals, even estuaries, yet we may hardly notice them at times, yet some are so spectacular that they dominate the landscape.  Others were built centuries ago and yet can cope with modern day traffic.
Bridges come in a wide variety of designs and materials, successive generations of ingenious structural engineers using whatever materials were available at the time to satisfy their requirements.  Surges in the construction of bridges  have often coincided with transport innovations; the building of canals, railways and motorways and only recently have there been bridges built specifically for cyclists.  However the closure of many railways by Dr. Beeching in the 1960's left some bridges without a purpose and these now carry only pedestrians and cyclists predominantly on the National Cycle Network.
Locally in Derby, we have a variety of bridges used by cyclists and here we take a closer look at them.  Our main barrier to navigation is the River Derwent which flows Southwards from the hills of the Peak District to join the River Trent, which then flows Northwards from Nottingham to empty it's waters into the Humber Estuary and finally into the North Sea.

With global warming and the threat of flooding, much effort has gone into flood prevention measures locally, one of which is the Cathedral Bridge, a most unusual design as it is designed to be swung aside, clear of the river, at times of high water. It carries only pedestrians and cyclists. It was opened in 2009 at a cost of £4.2m.

Only a short distance downstream is Exeter Bridge which carries road traffic and has dedicated cycle lanes, but it's low arch is susceptible to damage from high water levels. Many bridges over rivers and canals have high arches to permit the passage of boats, but Exeter Bridge is midway between two weirs, one at Evans Mill (Darley Abbey) and the other at the River Gardens, so only rowing boats are to be seen here.

Smart planning here by Derby City Council with a segregated cycle lane on Exeter Bridge.

18 May 2020 All changed
Flood prevention works to install flood gates on Exeter Bridge have changed the above view for the better. See below.

 The segregated cycle lane is replaced by a shared pavement.

And on the left a ramp has been installed alongside the steps which remain behind the wall on the right.

                    But these lads don't seem to have noticed.

A good local example of a redundant railway bridge put to good use is Handysides Bridge which crosses the River Derwent at Chester Green. It originally carried the railway from Friargate Station towards Breadsall and beyond, but the route was closed by Dr. Beeching in the 1960s.  Beside the double rail track it had a pedestrian bridge alongside - no longer needed when the main bridge was converted. It now forms a vital link as part of Derby's cycle routes.

This is another local bridge curiosity, known to Derby's cyclists as the Curly Bridge. It spans the A38 adjacent to Markeaton Park and sadly to be demolished soon with the widening of the main road.

It was never designated as a route for cyclists and would not meet current Health and Safety Regulations, so it has to go, to be replaced by a new bridge, unlikely to be so spectacular in appearance.

The Longhorse Bridge, which cost £1.4m when it was erected in 2011 allows cyclists and pedestrians to cross the River Trent at Derwentmouth near Shardlow where the River Derwent joins the Trent.  So called because it's predecessor was used by horses in the days of horse drawn boats on rivers and canals.

An important route for cyclists and pedestrians, linking our Derbyshire routes to those in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.

A new bridge, crossing the A52  (Derby to Nottingham Road) is similar in design to the Longhorse Bridge, and will soon be installed to connect Chaddesden to the the Wyvern Centre.  It replaces the old bridge which carried the NCN Route 66 Derby Orbital Cycle Route. Installation is later than originally planned due to the Corvid-19 crisis It will now be installed over the weekend of May 29th - June 1st.  It should be possible to view this on PC's and IPad's. It is costing £7.2m, weighs 280 tonnes, and will be brought on site by 12 lorries. One of the largest cranes in the country, which has a capacity of 1550 tonnes, will lift it into position.

This is what it will look like.