Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 19/09/2026.
Two top street artists raced against time to complete a vast artwork in time for the weekend opening of a spectacular new bridge in Erewash.
One of them is design wizard Neil Keating – who shot to fame by painting Liverpool’s official 2023 Eurovision mural. Neil, 46, launched a collaboration with talented Derbyshire artist Elle Koziupa, 23, after he won a borough council commission to transform the entire rear wall of a canal side factory building so it can form a backdrop to the bridge.
The pair have come up with an eye-popping concept that merges Elle’s amazing photo-realism with Neil’s signature graphic style. Elle’s section of the huge Long Eaton mural depicts a woman lace worker – in tribute to one of the industries on which the town was built.
Neil’s contribution features stylised representations of machinery and includes references to the Erewash Canal.
The two artists have had to use scaffolding – which has now been removed from the Sankey Upholstery building hours before the new West Park Bridge opens to the public from 2pm on Saturday (19 September). It means that sightseers will not only be wowed by the sweepingly curved crossing and its soaring arch but will get their first glimpse of the amazing mural.
The pedestrian and cycle bridge at Broad Street is being hailed by Erewash council leader James Dawson as a “truly magnificent" new landmark. It links Long Eaton’s centre to the town’s much-loved West Park – and replaces a metal crossing that had stood for around a century but was in a sorry state as it neared the end of its lifespan. Construction of the new bridge began last November – with its arch being craned into place four months ago. The project has cost £4.2million, which includes a new waterfront so people can relax and enjoy the Erewash Canal.
Funding has come from the government thanks to £25million that the council clinched under the Long Eaton Town Deal – which is regeneration investment that has been pouring in for a string of showcase projects.
The mural is part of the council’s own public art initiative. A total of £100,000 has been earmarked to elevate the urban environment using money from the authority’s recently launched £6.5million Erewash Investment Fund.
The West Park Bridge artwork comes after the owners of the building agreed to it – and is just the latest to be produced by graphic design ace Neil, who has been hard at work in places such as Kirk Hallam and Petersham.
Cllr Mark Alfrey, who is Erewash’s Lead Member for Environment, explained that official street art is “not just about brightening up walls”. He said: “It breathes life into urban areas, bringing communities together and creating a sense of belonging and pride. This sense of place runs through all of Neil’s work. He has shown street art is no longer about graffiti on a wall – but offers revitalisation, creativity, community engagement and cultural relevance.”
The Met Office is forecasting fine weather for Saturday events that have been lined up in West Park from 2pm to celebrate the new bridge’s official opening. Cricketers will be taking part in a friendly match next to the canal – and a team of children's entertainers will greet families at the park playground.
The Mayor will be hosting DJs from Erewash Sound plus family friendly live music on the park bandstand from 4pm. A finale starting at 6pm will feature the Long Eaton Silver Prize Band.
Timings:
2pm: Cricket and games in West Park; FREE face painting from Cheerful Chops face painting at the play area. Bubble art and circus skills will all be on offer, along with two static bike challenges. Can you beat a time trial, or mix your own smoothie by pedal power?
4pm: Music starts on the bandstand with duo Cheeky Felicia.
5pm: Singer Jolieanna Davis performs.
6pm: The Long Eaton Silver Prize band perform.
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 16/09/2026.
A spectacular new curved bridge with a soaring arch will formally open in an Erewash town this weekend – as residents get to celebrate with an outdoor party.
The eye-popping landmark – one of the most dramatic results of Long Eaton’s £25million Town Deal – began taking shape four months ago. Its giant arch was craned into place over the Erewash Canal just before England’s first World Cup game – immediately drawing comparisons with the iconic one at Wembley Stadium.
The footbridge and cycleway linking Long Eaton’s centre to the town’s much-loved West Park has cost £4.2million – which includes an entire new waterfront so people can enjoy the canal.
It officially opens to the public from 2pm on Saturday 19 September – and Erewash Borough Council has teamed up with local radio station Erewash Sound to stage festivities.
The community celebration in West Park will kick off with children’s activities and sports, including a cricket friendly, and continue with family friendly music from 4pm until dusk at around 7pm.
The bridge at Broad Street – which Erewash council leader James Dawson hailed as a "truly magnificent" new landmark – replaces a metal crossing that was in a sorry state as it neared the end of its lifespan.
It was built so low that for almost 100 years towpath users needed to duck under it. Cllr Dawson said: “The new crossing’s imaginative design not only makes the most of what is a challenging location but means no-one risks banging their heads."
Government Town Deal investment that the council battled to clinch five years ago has fuelled a string of regeneration projects. The new West Park Bridge is the second to be constructed across the canal to boost connectivity and enhance the local cycle path network. The other one cost £2.1million and opened in June half a mile away at Britannia Mills – which used to be a centre for lacemaking. Families in more than 100 affordable homes that have been built on the site previously faced a long trek to cross the canal.
The biggest of the regeneration projects is an ambitious £10million revamp of Long Eaton’s town centre, which is currently underway. The mission to boost the High Street as a destination for shopping and leisure is due to be completed before next summer.
The new look features design elements that pay tribute to Long Eaton’s history as a UK capital for furniture-making. Street furniture will mimic sofas.
Meanwhile architects of the new West Park Bridge have also incorporated nods to the town’s industrial past. A floral design in the balustrade echoes the kind of wedding lace that Harrington Mill was famed for. Handrails are red like the thread used in lacemaking to highlight a repair – and signify how the bridge stitches together the two sides of the canal.
A mural will feature on the rear of the Sankey Upholstery building, along the canal, thanks to an agreement with the building owners. It will highlight the new waterfront and bridge, whilst interlinking the design into the history of the lace industry and canals. It will also feature a detailed depiction of a lace worker from the early 20th century.
The design, funded by the Erewash Investment Fund, has been worked up by the council’s appointed artist Neil Keating in collaboration with Derbyshire artist Ellespaint.
£10m High Street revamp pauses for final journey of 'Pocket Rocket' Shirley
Long Eaton High Street Project.
Last updated 12/08/2026.
A huge £10million construction project in an Erewash gran’s hometown briefly came to a halt – as shopworkers joined crowds lining the streets for her funeral procession.
The final journey of much-loved local character Shirley Kidsley saw the council help to arrange for her hearse to make its way through the pedestrianised heart of Long Eaton. Shirley, pictured, was a familiar face on the High Street until her death at the age of 87.
Crews involved in the colossal revamp of the town centre paused to join those paying tribute as the widow’s coffin passed by. Former textile industry worker Shirley was known locally as “Pocket Rocket” – owing to her big energy and diminutive stature. She was regularly spotted strolling through town even though her daughter Dawn would push her around in a wheelchair. Dawn recalled fondly: “People would call and say, ‘We've just seen your mum walking down the High Street on her own!’"
Shirley’s funeral service was the last ever to be held at West Park Chapel, where none had taken place for years. Her family bought her a plot decades ago so she could be laid to rest next to her husband.
An onlooker as her cortege solemnly proceeded along the High Street said: “It was heartwarming to see the workmen down tools and take their hats off to pay their respects.”
Shops are continuing to open as usual while Long Eaton gets a huge makeover in a showcase project that is being funded by £25million of government Town Deal investment. The work affects Tamworth Road, which the county council has closed to southbound traffic until December. Information about the impact on buses is available from Trentbarton.
“We appreciate that the work to widen Tamworth Road’s pavements is going to mean longer journeys so would urge drivers to allow more time for their trips. At the same we are keen to reiterate our message to local people and others visiting the town: Shops and businesses remain open – so please support them.”
Iconic new span gets a name: West Park Bridge
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 25/08/2026.
The name of a spectacular new bridge across the Erewash Canal has been officially unveiled ahead of its opening next month.
Local people were asked to suggest what the striking new landmark should be called. The sweepingly curved structure has been designed with an iconic soaring arch – which during the World Cup drew comparisons to the one at Wembley Stadium.
The construction of the span together with an entire new waterfront where people can enjoy the canal has cost £4.2million – with money coming from the government as part of the £25million Town Deal that Erewash Borough Council helped to clinch for Long Eaton.
The bridge – which will be officially declared open in mid-September – is one of two new footway and cycle crossings over the canal. The other was completed this summer half a mile away at Britannia Mills. It too was thanks to the regeneration investment – which has funded a string of major projects.
A flagship £10million refurbishment of the centre of town that began early in the summer is due to be completed before the middle of next year.
Erewash’s leader Cllr James Dawson hailed the new West Park Bridge as “truly magnificent”. It replaces a tired metal crossing at Broad Street that was dismantled as it neared the end of its lifespan. Known locally as the Green Bridge, towpath users had needed to duck under it for almost a century because it was built so low.
Cllr Dawson said: “The new crossing’s imaginative design not only makes the most of what is a challenging location but means no-one risks banging their heads. Long Eaton’s £25million Town Deal is money the council battled to clinch for local people so it is only fitting that the people themselves got a chance to name the bridge.”
A shortlist was drawn up from public suggestions before the Long Eaton Town Deal Board held a vote. Other potential names included ones paying tribute to the town’s history as a centre for lacemaking. The bridge itself salutes the industry with a floral design in its balustrade that echoes the kind of wedding lace that Harrington Mill was famed for.
Handrails are red like the thread used in lacemaking to highlight a repair – and signify how the bridge stitches together the two sides of the canal.
Local businessman Richard Ledger, who chairs the Town Deal Board, thanked local people for their input. He said: “We had a lot of great suggestions for names but in the end it was clear that most people wanted something plain and simple – so West Park Bridge it is.”
Southbound closure for Tamworth Road traffic
Long Eaton High Street Project.
Last updated 05/08/2026.
Drivers using a busy route through one of Erewash’s towns face detours until December – as it becomes one-way while contractors crack on with giving Long Eaton a huge £10million revamp.
Tamworth Road north of Long Eaton Station is already traffic calmed to encourage vehicles to use either Wilsthorpe Road or Fields Farm Road as through routes. The temporary closure of its southbound lane means traffic will have to use those alternatives.
Northbound vehicles will continue to be able to drive along Tamworth Road. Traffic from the A6005 Nottingham to Derby Road will still able to access the Lawrence Street car park for the town centre via Fletcher Gate.
Diversions will be in place from 7pm on Sunday 2 August. Erewash council apologised for the inconvenience to road users while pavement widening is carried out.
The work forms part of a showcase project to breathe new life into the town centre – where the council is stressing businesses are continuing to open as usual amid a huge makeover.
The smart new look focuses on the High Street and is being funded by the Long Eaton Town Deal, which is £25million of regeneration money that the authority clinched from the Government. The bonanza has been fuelling a host of projects in the town. The refurbishment of its centre is the biggest of them.
A council official said: “The diversions for traffic wanting to turn south into Tamworth Road take effect on Sunday 2 August from 7pm – and we have done our best to alert vehicle users by putting up warning signs in advance. Between 2 August and 7 August there are also likely to be night-time closures from 7pm to 5am – and the Market Place taxi rank will be closed.
An alternative rank will be in use on Main Street outside the 3 Counties Snooker hall. Bus users can get more information from TrentBarton about how all the closures will impact routes.
“We appreciate that the work to widen Tamworth Road’s pavements is going to mean longer journeys so would urge drivers to allow more time for their trips. At the same we are keen to reiterate our message to local people and others visiting the town: Shops and businesses remain open – so please support them.”
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