Council to make case for A61 corridor improvements

Derbyshire County Council has been awarded £50,000 to make a business case for improvements to the A61 Corridor near Chesterfield.

The council says it will match the funding from Midlands Connect, giving it a total pot of £100,000 to make its case to the Department for Transport.

“All options” to improve the corridor will be explored, including better access for pedestrians and cyclists and enhanced public transport provision along the route.

The road is one of the most congested in the county. During peak hours, average delays of up to twelve minutes affect travellers heading in both directions.

The area earmarked for improvement spans from the Horns Bridge roundabout in Chesterfield to the A6175 junction in the centre of Clay Cross.

Around 2,100 homes are being built at two major construction sites in the vicinity.

Swati Mittal, strategic roads manager at Midlands Connect, said: “We are so pleased to be able to give Derbyshire County Council this funding and to help them make their case to government.

“This scheme is exactly in line with Midlands Connect’s values and objectives for the region, and could benefit from a great variety of improvements, which we look forward to exploring with the council.”

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, added: “We are grateful for the funding from Midlands Connect which will help us to develop future plans for the A61.

“This busy road is important for so many people living between Chesterfield and Clay Cross, and for commuters. The road is likely to get busier as new housing developments and business growth brings more people to the area, so it’s vital we look at what we can do to manage congestion and reduce emissions. This money will enable us to further develop our plans.”

The business case will build on the outcome of a public consultation which is due to end on 16 October.