Minor ground investigations in Ashbourne town centre
In readiness for the main construction works for the Ashbourne Reborn project starting later this year, Derbyshire County Council will be carrying out a series of ground investigations at 32 sites starting on Tuesday 16 July for at least three weeks.
The test pits and trenches will be dug in a selected pavements and roads across the town centre to check the precise location of any utility pipes and cables buried underground as well as archaeological remains.
Many of the pits will be dug by hand to minimise noise and disruption but some will require a Jack Hammer to be used. Where we need to work on the road, we will use any nearby car parking bays for our equipment to avoid any lane closures.
Locations of the test pits/trenches
Work is planned on the following streets in the town centre, subject to any technical issues and feedback from local businesses:
Fishpond Meadow
- Within the Fishponds car park.
Compton
- In the pavement on Compton bridge east side at centre span
- In the road and pavement outside Ashbourne Library
- In the road and pavement outside Lloyds Bank, corner of King Edward Street
Dig Street
- In the road and pavement alongside 2 St John Street (The Bank public house)
- In the road and pavement alongside 2-4 Church Street (Avanti)
- In the road and pavement outside 9 Dig Street (The Cheddar Gorge)
- In the road and pavement outside 17 Dig Street (Eterna Medspa)
- In the road and pavement outside 19 Dig Street (The Clay Rooms)
- Outside 1 Shawcroft Centre (Bagshaws estate agents)
- In the road outside 21 Dig Street (Nigel’s Butchers)
- In the road and pavement outside Coach and Horses public house
- In the road and pavement outside 9 & 10 Shawcroft Centre (Dalo’s Pizza and Kebabs & Chic)
Shrovetide Walk
- In the pavement across the culvert and nearby landscaped area
St John Street
- In the pavement alongside 2 Market Place (Abode Estate Agents)
- In the pavement outside 42 Market Place (Vision Express)
- In the pavement outside 36 (Smith’s Tavern), to check the beer cellar access
- In the pavement 26-28 (Beaumont’s Café)
- On the higher level pavement outside 23 (Henmore’s store)
- In the road outside 18-20 (Wigley’s Shoes)
- In the road and pavement outside the Horse and Jockey Yard entrance
- In the pavement outside 5 (drink/vape zone)
- Three sites in the road and pavement outside 2 (The Bank public house)
Horse & Jockey Yard
- In the pavement between Wigley’s Shoes and Fresh Choice
- In the pavement into the Horse and Jockey Yard from St John Street (between Wigley’s Shoes and Fresh Choice)
Market Place (Buxton Road)
- In the pavement outside the George and Dragon on the Market Place
- In the road and pavement outside 18 Market Place
- In the pavement outside the Town Hall/20 Market Place (the former Bramwells café and Deli)
- In the pavement outside 26 Market Place (Friends café)
Station Road
- In the road and pavement to the rear of 36 Church Street
- In the road and pavement alongside the Methodist Church and the rear frontage
- In the pavement on Station Road bridge
- In the road and pavement approaching King Edward Street
Letters to businesses
Local businesses affected by the works will receive a letter advising them about the works. Derbyshire County Council's Highways team will talk to businesses directly affected, using their feedback to help plan the works to minimise inconvenience.
Car parking bays
Please note several parking bays on Station Road and Buxton Road, outside the Elite Cinema will be temporarily closed when the works take place.
For any further information about the works, please contact Chris Salt at Derbyshire County Council on 07976 432846 or email
- Led by the County Council, this work is part of the Highways and Public Realm project within the Ashbourne Reborn programme.
