Paving the way for more Markham Vale development
Work to open up a new section of the Markham Vale regeneration site started today with a £1.2m road refurbishment project.
Erin Road, which will serve the next section of land to be developed on the site where the former Seymour Colliery once stood, will be closed for up to six months between Poolsbrook and Duckmanton and Markham Vale.
As well as groundwork for the gas, water and electricity supply, improvements will be carried out along the section of road stretching just over half a mile to make sure it is fit to carry extra traffic travelling to and from local businesses setting up in the area once the Seymour site is developed.
A shuttle bus will be running between Poolsbrook and the Staveley and Duckmanton area, providing a connection to the existing bus services while the work takes place.
A bridge carrying an old haul road over Erin Road will also be demolished. The ‘Bailey’ bridge − a temporary bridge made of prefabricated steel truss panels bolted together − was used by colliery vehicles travelling to and from the former pit.
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport, Councillor Joan Dixon said:
Developing the next phase of Markham Vale is the next step in our long-term vision of attracting more business and industry, creating 5,000 jobs for local people.
“We are pleased we can finally start work to prepare the land and get plots in place for further development by March 2015.
“We will be working hard to get this work done as quickly as possible and if we can reopen the road sooner, we will. I hope road users will bear with us while this important work takes place and apologise for any inconvenience which may be caused.”
The work is being funded as part of a £14.2 million cash injection from the government to turn the former Seymour Colliery site into prime economic land with the potential to create more than 2,000 more jobs.
More than 560 new jobs have already been created at the county council’s flagship regeneration site which is currently home to 28 businesses. A further 200 jobs have already been announced with the construction of new buildings underway.
Source:Derbyshire County Council
