Derby Bridge Nears Collapse: £25M Fix Needed

Derby City Council is poised to address the critical state of Mills Bridge, located in Darley Abbey, which is described as extremely vulnerable and nearing total collapse. Leaders have agreed to assume ownership of the structure, a move intended to grant them complete authority over necessary future interventions. This decision follows concerns raised in 2022 that led to the bridge's closure on safety grounds.

To facilitate urgent action, the council has approved the acceptance of a £2 million grant designated for the demolition of the 1930s bridge. A temporary footbridge, Walter's Walkway, was previously installed to serve the community and businesses, but it too experienced a temporary closure due to safety issues linked to the original bridge. The complex ownership of the historic bridge by the Crown Estate had created a "catch-22" situation, now resolved by the transfer of power.

With the transfer of ownership agreed upon, the council is now focused on securing funding for a permanent replacement, which is projected to cost around £25 million. A business case is being developed to support this request to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA). Council leader Nadine Peatfield emphasized the bold but essential nature of taking ownership, noting that without intervention, the bridge is unlikely to withstand another winter.