Connecting Derby is a Government-funded integrated transport project. It aims to improve transport links in and around the city centre for people who live, work or visit the city.

The first phase of the project removed unnecessary traffic from Victoria Street and Albert Street. New access arrangements made it possible to remove a lot of through traffic, leaving only buses, taxis, cyclists and those vehicles that need to be in the area to make deliveries to shops and businesses. Major refurbishment of the Cornmarket/St Peter's Street/Victoria Street junction meant the opportunity to provide improved pedestrian facilities making the area more attractive and people-friendly. A new traffic signal junction at St Alkmund's Way and Cathedral Road allowed access to car parking in the Bold Lane and St James Street area of the city.

To see the latest overall Connecting Derby plan, use this link Connecting Derby general layout plan

Taking cars and buses away creates a better cycling environment. Many Streets that have lots of traffic in them at the moment will be quieter, so that cyclists will feel safer. Cyclists will be able to use the new crossing facilities with pedestrians. We will put new cycle lanes along the entire route of the inner ring road to make cycling more attractive. There will be special arrangements at traffic lights, which will allow cyclists to get to the front of the queue to improve their journey times. Together this will complete an extensive cycle network in the city centre, and will make all routes as direct and continuous as possible.

By making changes to the way junctions work and improving facilities for all road users, we expect injuries caused by road traffic accidents to decrease over the 30 year life of Connecting Derby. We expect that three deaths, 59 serious injuries and 877 slight injuries will be prevented. This would benefit us all, and would save the community around £25 million* in costs associated with attendance to crashes by the emergency Services, and hospitalisation. People will feel safer in streets that have less traffic; this will help encourage people to walk in and around their area, creating healthier lifestyles and reducing reliance on other forms of transport. (*Predicted savings from Simulation Model Scheme Economics, Atkins, June 2004)

The Connecting Derby team always welcomes your comments. If you want to talk about any aspect of the project, please call
Dave Powner Project Co-ordinator

Tel: 01332 715130

Minicom 01332 256666

E-mail dave.powner@derby.gov.uk