Interested parties still 'in discussion' with Drakelow Park developer over Walton bridge and bypass

A major developer is still in discussion with firms to create the long-awaited new £12 million bridge and bypass in Walton - four months after a mystery bid to South Derbyshire District Council.

It has been revealed that Drakelow Park Group, which is behind the construction of 2,200 homes on the nearby former Drakelow Power Station, is still 'in discussion' with interested parties to create the long-awaited bridge over the River Trent, as well as a bypass around the village of Walton.

The discussions were revealed four months after it was claimed at a public meeting that an unidentified bidder had come forward with plans to build the bridge and bypass.

South Derbyshire District Council, acting on behalf of Drakelow Park Group, would not confirm whether the bidder is still on board with the scheme.

A council spokesman said: “In connection with Walton Bridge, we have been advised by the Drakelow Park Group that they are in discussion with various interested parties and stakeholders and remain confident that a deal will be signed in the near future.

“As with any project of this size, the masterplan for the development of the entire Drakelow site, which spans ten years, is being revised on an ongoing basis to make sure it remains current and appropriate.”

The project would see the old single-lane Bailey Bridge replaced with a larger two-laned structure, council bosses have revealed. Walton falls just inside South Derbyshire.

The old bridge would remain open to pedestrians only. At present thousands of vehicles use the Bailey Bridge and there are often long delays due to it being single-track.

The plans were initially proposed seven years ago as part of a deal to build 2,200 new homes by Drakelow Developments Ltd, which agreed to put money towards the bridge and bypass.

An initial planning application had stipulated that the Drakelow Developments had to hand over cash towards the project after it had built 100 homes on the Drakelow Park development, but that was later changed to 400 houses after the firm said it needed to sell more properties to be able to afford its contribution.

During a Linton Area Forum meeting in March, Frank McArdle, chief executive of South Derbyshire District Council, revealed a bid had been received from a firm to carry out the work but he was tight-lipped on the identity until the deal is set in stone.

However, some residents said at the time that they remain sceptical, after already waiting more than seven years to see the Bailey Bridge replaced.

Construction of the bypass would bring about the end of decades of frustration for villagers and motorists who used the Bailey Bridge and road through the village to travel between Burton and Swadlincote.

It was previously revealed that legal wrangles and poor winter weather were blamed for major delays in building the homes.

In February 2015 the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government awarded Local Growth Funding to the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership for a range of schemes.

This included help in the delivery of the bridge and bypass. At this point the cost of the scheme was estimated at around £11.7 million and it was proposed that work on the project would begin in December 2016 with completion likely in March 2018.

However, the funding did not progress due to financial issues and the offer was withdrawn in February 2017.

In November 2015, it was announced that an original agreement which stated that no more than 100 houses could be occupied 'until the widening of the Walton bypass' (the Bailey Bridge) had taken place, went on to be changed to 400 houses being built.

The current time frame for the delivery of the bridge remains uncertain, but it will have to be completed prior to the completion of the 401st home on the site, the planning permission stipulates.

History of the Bailey bridge at Walton

An original bridge was built in 1834, which lasted more than 100 years before needing to be replaced by a temporary version - the Bailey bridge.

Army Royal Engineers erected this on top of the old bridge in 1947, removing part of it to allow for a support to be built on the Staffordshire bank of the river.

Flood damage had meant engineers were called in to install the Bailey bridge after the severe winter of 1947.

The bridge was once again replaced in 1974 with a modern version, but was still a temporary Bailey bridge structure.