Work to raise the parapet on the east side of Henmore Bridge is due to start on 21 October, in preparation for improvements to pavements and crossings as part of the UK Government funded Ashbourne Reborn transformation programme. The work, to be carried out by the County Council, will use locally sourced Derbyshire Gritstone and will allow installation of a new pavement so that pedestrians can safely use both sides of the bridge.
Rowsley based Natural Stone Sales supplied the stone, which has been specially measured and cut to match existing stonework. It will be used to raise the eastern bridge parapet by two courses of stone blockwork to ensure that pedestrians can safely use the new pavement to be installed on the east side of the bridge as part of the Ashbourne Reborn project. The top course of coping stones will initially be removed and then put back when the two new stone courses have been added. The pavement will give greater priority to pedestrians and particularly benefit visitors with young families and those with disabilities, who will then be able to move between Dig Street and Shrovetide Walk without needing to cross the road or divert around Henmore Brook.
Starting close to the Shawcroft Centre and working south towards the library, the work is expected to take around three weeks. The bridge will remain open to traffic, reduced to a single lane width while work is undertaken.
The parapet on Henmore Bridge is being raised in preparation for wider work through the Ashbourne Reborn transformation programme, which will see improvements throughout the town centre. Led by the County Council, the highways and public realm project will transform a series of public spaces including the Market Place, Victoria Square, Millennium Square and Shrovetide Walk. It will also include works to the road network on Dig Street, St John Street, Church Street, Station Road and Buxton Road. A second project, led by Ashbourne Methodist Church will see the creation of a new Link Community Hub on the corner of Church Street and Station Road.
