Improving Chesterfield’s railway station link
An eight-week project has begun to improve a key gateway into Chesterfield – from Malkin Street at Chesterfield Railway Station through to Corporation Street in the town centre.
The work is being carried out by landscape architects TEP in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council and incorporates a ‘rain garden’ which operates by diverting drainage from the road into a planted filter bed instead of going direct into the sewers.
The system will slow down the release of water into the formal drainage system but also improve its quality. This will help control the flow of water at source rather than it causing flooding in other parts of Chesterfield.
The works are next to North Midland House, the town’s first railway station and, to pay homage to its heritage, the pavement will feature replica railway tickets displaying the locations people could have travelled to in the early days of Chesterfield’s railways.
Temporary traffic lights will be in place on Malkin Street for four weeks and Chesterfield Borough Council is working with the highways authority to keep disruption to a minimum.
Councillor John Burrows, Chesterfield Borough Council’s leader and executive member for regeneration, said: “The approach from Chesterfield Railway Station is a key route into the town centre and is, indeed, the first view many people have when they visit Chesterfield.
“This location was chosen by residents at a public consultation last year and will be both practical and attractive.”
The project has been funded by the European Regional Development fund. The funding could only be used to make improvements to town centre gateways and could not be used on any other council service.
Residents identified the location as an area needing investment during public consultation events held online and in person at the Pavements Shopping Centre during January 2013.
Photograph: An artist’s impression comparing the plans for the site with the view when the North Midland Station was open in the mid 19th century.
Source:Chesterfield Borough Council
