Traffic will be held for around 10 minutes on the A6 around 8pm on Sunday 3 September 2023 to allow for Derwent Way to be opened and the bridge to be closed.
The bridge, which is currently being used for 2-way traffic, will then be returned to one-way. It will take the Environment Agency around 6 weeks to do this work, with the bridge being reopened for one way traffic mid-October.
The large crane being used to complete the flood work will leave Matlock on Tuesday 29 August 2023. The Environment Agency will spend the following week clearing their compound and making sure the roads and pavements are suitable for everyone to use.
The footpath, which runs along the riverside and joins Derwent Way at the junction with the bridge will reopen on Monday 4 September 2023.
The pavement over the bridge will be closed from Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 September 2023 from 8pm until 6am, with those on foot being directed to walk through Hall Leys Park, which will have temporary lights. Other than these times the pavement over the bridge will remain open during the rest of the work to turn the bridge back to one-way.
We did consider keeping the bridge 2-way, but felt that it would cause extra delays for traffic as there is no room on Dale Road for traffic to wait if they want to turn right over the bridge.
Resurfacing work on the A6, at the junction of the bridge and Derwent Way will take place for up to 4 nights from Tuesday 26 September 2023. The A6 will need to be closed from 8pm until 6am to complete this work. Diversions for this closure will be signed and will take motorists from Cromford, along the Via Gellia to Winster and then re-joining the A6 at Rowsley. We are liaising with the relevant bus companies about these works and will let passengers know what the arrangements are closer to the time.
Severn Trent will resume their work to upgrade the water mains along Bakewell Road in Matlock on Wednesday 6 September 2023.
The second phase of works – which is expected to be completed by January 2024 – will replace almost 1km of pipework between the Arc leisure centre to the bus station just beyond the junction with Dimple Road.
This follows the completion of the first phase, which saw 600 metres of new pipes installed between Stanton Moor View and the Arc leisure centre.
Cabinet Member for Highways Assets and Transport, Councillor Charlotte Cupit, said:
“We’re almost at the end of this important project to replace the river flood defences for the town.
“We realise that the closure of Derwent Way has affected the town, and been inconvenient for everyone who lives, works and visits the town.
“On behalf of all our partners I’d like to apologise for any delays that this work has caused.”
Fran Marriott, Acting Area Flood Risk Manager for the Environment Agency, said:
“The Environment Agency’s major project to reinstate the flood defences in Matlock, Derbyshire provides better protection from flooding from the River Derwent for 50 homes and businesses.
“While it has been a challenging construction due to the wet winter and the complexity of working in a dynamic river environment, we have swiftly reinstated better flood protection to the town from river flooding.
“We have been working with Derbyshire County Council on the plan to see the A6 reopened, and Matlock Bridge reopened to single lane traffic.
“We would like to thank the local community for their continued support and understanding throughout these essential flood defence works and apologise for the temporary disruption caused by the construction works.”
Christina Massey, Community Communications Officer at Severn Trent said:
“To minimise disruption, we agreed with the council that we would pause our works in Matlock during the school holidays, when the town receives a large number of visitors during the busy summer months.
“To keep our teams and motorists safe, we will be closing one lane of Bakewell Road around our works with some temporary traffic lights in place to help keep traffic moving. We know just how inconvenient roadworks can be and appreciate everyone’s patience while we make this important upgrade.”