West Park Leisure Hub Project.
Last updated: 29/11/2024.
Major open-air extravaganzas such as Erewash’s biggest carnival have just been given a huge boost – with the completion of work by the council to create the perfect venue for staging events.
The project has seen power hook-ups, new lighting and water supplies installed at what has long been used as a staging post for the carnival’s floats.
Car park improvements have also been made to tempt more promoters and community organisations to use what is now a showcase two-hectare arena.
The events field at West Park in Long Eaton covers the equivalent of five acres. Bookings to use it are now being accepted via the Erewash Borough Council website.
Funding for the outdoor venue has come from £25million of government money pouring into Long Eaton under a “Town Deal” that the council helped to clinch.
The events space is where the Long Eaton Carnival’s floats assemble before a spectacular parade through the town. The carnival fete itself is also in West Park – on an even bigger expanse of grass.
But the events field also plays a vital role because it is used by the organisers for regular car boot sales that are held throughout the year to raise funds.
The 2025 procession of floats is on Saturday 21 June. The theme of the parade will be officially unveiled on Thursday 28 November – at a stall that the carnival organisers will be manning when Long Eaton’s Christmas lights are switched on. Last summer’s theme was “That’s Entertainment”.
The council’s improvements to West Park have thrilled the dedicated volunteers who keep the 93-year-old festival of fun going.
Tim Fryzer-Smith said: “Last summer’s carnival was an amazing weekend – and we will be working hard to make 2025’s even better. June might seem a long way off but our message to all those wishing to take part is that as soon as theme is announced start thinking about your fantastic floats and walking parties.”
Erewash councillor Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“The council is delighted to announce the transformation of the West Park events field – which means we have a superb venue for community organisations such as the Long Eaton Carnival to make use of. The arena is something the borough can be truly proud of as other projects across Long Eaton see us get maximum impact out of the £25million of Town Deal investment.”
To find out more about hiring the events field – or one of the several other sites available from the council – click on the Book your event page.
Town Deal Updates.
Last updated: 15/10/2024.
Find out the latest on the Long Eaton Town Deal in this video where Richard Ledger, chair of the Town Deal Board, and Councillor James Dawson, Vice Chair and Leader of Erewash Borough Council, give an update on the exciting projects taking place in the town.
£25million of investment will transform Long Eaton. Erewash Borough Council helped to clinch the government money in a coveted Town Deal for the borough.
Town Deal Projects take shape.
Town Deal Updates.
Last updated: 04/09/2024.
Millions of pounds of investment in Long Eaton are making a positive impact for residents and businesses.
The Long Eaton Town Deal projects - made possible following Government funding of £25 million in 2021 - are reaching the development phase, with some now complete.
Work continues to convert listed former Stable Block outbuildings at Long Eaton Town Hall to create a modern business hub. Pictured at the site are, from left, Town Deal Board chairman Richard Ledger, Chris Pearson, of building contractor Trident, and Cllr Curtis Howard – Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning.
New lighting is now in place at West Park; 42 low-energy lampposts light up an extra 1.2 kilometres of pathway, and work has started on the park’s events field which will be a showcase venue for open-air concerts and outdoor events.
Work to put in place a new iconic bridge over the canal from Broad Street to the park and create an attractive waterfront where people can relax will start in January.
The design of a new bridge at the former Britannia Mills – which will form part of a much-improved walking and cycling network - is due to be finalised. Planning permission is expected in September with work anticipated to start in March.
Work continues to convert listed outbuildings at Long Eaton Town Hall to create modern business hub providing managed workspace units for local businesses.
As well as this the council recently acquired all the properties at Galaxy Row which includes a former cinema. It is now in the process of finding a development partner so that work can begin on the exciting new project which will include new commercial space and homes.
Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, said:
“Years of planning has gone into these major projects, so it is fantastic when you start to see all the hard work paying off. In the not too distance future residents and businesses will start to notice more of the projects taking shape and I’m excited for the result.”
Councillor James Dawson, vice chair of the Town Board, said:
“The Long Eaton Town Deal is a step closer to its aim of revitalising the town and improving facilities for residents. We will make sure that residents continue to be updated along the way.”
A High Street project to revitalise the town centre, led by the local Highways Authority Derbyshire County Council, has been delayed due to design changes, with a new completion date of October 2026. The County Council is due to hold meetings with the contractors and will update the council on the next steps.
Bridge No2 gets council go-ahead
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 20/09/2024.
A SECOND new bridge over the Erewash Canal has been given the formal go-ahead after the borough council granted planning permission.
The crossing for pedestrians and cyclists will span the waterway where new housing is being built on a former industrial site near Canal Street in Long Eaton.
Residents have long faced a trek to get to the other side of the canal since no crossing has existed before at what used to be Britannia Mills.
Erewash council granted consent for the metal bridge at a Long Eaton Town Hall planning committee meeting on Wednesday (18th September).
It comes months after another bridge – spanning the canal at Broad Street – got the green light to replace a century-old crossing linking the town centre to West Park. The landmark new bridge there will boast a spectacular sweeping curve.
While the crossing at Britannia Mills will be simpler, council planners have made improvements to the original design – in consultation with the Canal & River Trust.
A report said the enhancements “add interest to the elevations of the deck with a curved steel plinth which is repeated through the ramps.” It continues: “This detailing provides interest and reflects the industrial heritage of the canal and the former industrial site alongside.”
Both new bridges are thanks to the “Town Deal” that the council battled to secure for Long Eaton. It is seeing almost £25million of government investment pour in.
The Britannia Mills bridge will provide a link to National Cycle Route 67 thus improving connectivity to not only the town centre but also encouraging active travel. Cllr Curtis Howard, Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“Having secured the Long Eaton Town Deal and spent years working hard behind the scenes, it’s great to be in a place where these projects are now becoming a reality. Part of what makes Long Eaton special is the canal running through its heart, and what we’re doing here is upgrading it for the 21st century.
“We’re linking up previously unconnected parts of Long Eaton north of the town centre, and the halved distance between canal crossings will make it more accessible for all.
“We’re especially proud to have worked hard on this project with the Canal & River Trust and Futures Housing, who are delivering brand new affordable canal-side homes where the new bridge will be built.”
Cllr Howard said of other Town Deal projects: “On West Park, we have new lighting in place, and the enhancement of the events field there is progressing well. The project to convert the town’s old Stable Block into a hub for businesses – bringing in new jobs – is deep in construction. Meanwhile a developer will soon be in place to replace the old Galaxy Row cinema – as hard work on the looming £10million High Street upgrade continues. So watch this space.”
Locals make most of newly lit-up park.
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 31/07/2024.
Dusk falls on a summer’s day – in magical images that capture how a much-loved Erewash park has been transformed after dark by new lighting.
A woman is seen taking her dog for a twilight walk – while other locals ride bicycles along freshly-illuminated paths.
The scenes look to be of a rural idyll – but actually show an urban one following a £245,000 project by Erewash Borough Council.
A total of 42 new lampposts were installed in Long Eaton’s West Park thanks to £25million of “Town Deal” investment that the authority helped to clinch from the government.
It means an extra 1,215 metres of pathways have been lit up so residents can go walking, running and cycling after dark.
The new low-energy lighting completes a figure of eight pathway through the park – with two previously unlit gateways also now illuminated.
Flooding in the park after the borough’s unprecedented winter storms led to the project being delayed. Richard Ledger, chair of the Long Eaton Town Deal Board, hailed its completion as “brilliant news in every way”.
Cllr Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“The new lights in West Park are just one example of how the council is cracking on with using the £25million of Town Deal investment to boost Long Eaton and its residents. Other projects are also taking shape – with work well underway on a new small business hub. Also in the pipeline is a major upgrade of the town centre.”
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