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.”
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.
Electric field! Boost for outdoor events.
West Park Leisure Hub Project.
Last updated: 25/07/2024.
A showcase venue for open-air concerts and other outdoor events in Erewash will open this autumn – as a council project to build it gets underway.
Construction crews are poised to start work within days at West Park in Long Eaton.
The park already boasts an “events field” which is used for carnivals and fetes – and the project will see it get a massive revamp.
Power hook-ups are to be installed along with new lighting. Water pipes will also be laid – while improvements are being made to the car park.
The aim is to encourage more community use of the two-hectare site, which is equivalent to five acres in size.
The work is expected to take three months. It is being funded by the government as part of the £25million “Town Deal” that the borough council helped secure for Long Eaton.
The investment has already seen West Park get new lighting, including around its perimeter walkway – where a new path will link to the events field.
Derbyshire contractor PM Harris Ltd is undertaking the latest work – which is scheduled to see the events field reopen in October. Erewash councillor Curtis Howard, who is Lead Member for Town Centres, Regeneration and Planning, said:
“These enhancements at West Park will support the existing community events held there and help to encourage new ones, adding to the facilities and services available to local residents.”
To find out more about hiring the events field – or one of the several others available from the council – head to Book Your Event (erewash.gov.uk)
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.”
Iconic new bridge gets Council OK.
Walking and Cycling Project.
Last updated: 08/07/2024.
A spectacular new bridge that is poised to become an Erewash landmark has been given the formal go-ahead by the borough council.
The sweeping curve of steel – featuring a stunning suspension arch – will help to transform one of the area’s waterfronts.
The iconic crossing for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users will span the Erewash Canal – linking the centre of Long Eaton to the town’s much-loved West Park.
It is being funded by government levelling-up money and will replace a bridge that towpath users currently risk banging their heads on because it was built so low.
The old Broad Street bridge dates back to 1913. It will be demolished after Erewash’s planning committee gave official permission for its replacement at a Long Eaton Town Hall meeting on Wednesday 26 June.
Councillors heard the existing crossing is “showing its age”. A report warned: “Structural assessments suggest a lifespan of only approximately a further ten years.”
The plan also includes a waterside terrace featuring tiered seating for 100 people overlooking the canal. Pontoons on the waterfront will allow kayaks and other small craft to launched.
Refreshment space has been set aside for community events, theatre performances and cinema screenings.
Well-lit pathways will deter anti-social behaviour – while the new bridge has been designed to be graffiti-resistant.
The bridge’s balustrade will reference Long Eaton’s lacemaking industry by incorporating a wedding pattern motif.
Construction of the new bridge and waterfront is set to be completed by early 2026 after Long Eaton was awarded almost £25million of central government funding in what is known as a “Town Deal”. The grant for regeneration projects will also see the High Street transformed.
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