Borrowash to Derby

As a cycling route this is a peep into the future, being only really feasible today as a walk, but one day will no doubt become another link in the National Cycle Network.
We start on Station Road in Borrowash, on the bridge which carries the B5010 across the Derby to Nottingham Railway, and where once the road spanned the Derby Canal. To the South the road also crosses the River Derwent and less than a mile away is Elvaston Country Park, home of Elvaston Castle.

The blue sign stands on the line of the Derby Canal, and in a cutting between the walls on the left lies the railway.

The photograph (right) was taken from the top of  the steps which lead down from the road to the path.
Behind us here, Route 6 of the National Cycle Network goes off-road towards Draycott and Breaston, having come from Derby on the South side of the Derwent along the Riverside Path.

           Ahead the path looks enticing, and to the right recent earthmoving shows the line of the canal.

                 This bridge, which once spanned the canal, is nice and has been restored, but would  look  much better with the waters of the canal beneath it.

                                                  View looking back before the bridge.

                                                         A nice view through the bridge.

 This is where the route becomes more suitable for boots than tyres, and where it will be necessary to build a better bridge than this to carry bikes across the stream which lies beneath.

                            Definitely a footpath here, but fortunately only a short stretch.

                  Since before long we emerge onto a tarmac road alongside this new housing estate

The tarmac ends here, but fear not, as the narrow path continues against the metal fence on the left.

                             The railway is close by to the left here, hence the substantial fence.

                               The path improves now as we enter Spondon Linear Park.

                             More signs of the canal with the remains of a bridge here.

Although the path continues beneath this bridge, dubiously decorated, we should leave it here (left) to regain the road (Station Road) where Spondon station, with it's level crossing lies alongside. Keeping to the path ahead reveals a "winding hole" where long barges could be turned round. This feature is being refurbished by the Derby and Sandiacre Canal Society.  The straight ahead path emerges alongside the Spondon B&Q Store and Raynesway, so not good for cyclists or walkers.

For walkers, the best plan here is to cross the bridge into Spondon where a bus back to Derby can be boarded.
For cyclists, go over the level crossing to join Celanese Road which leads onto Megalaugton Lane and hence to the Raynesway Cycle Path, and after crossing the River Derwent, regain the Riverside Path back to the City Centre.