Derbyshire Times news bulletin 8th January 2025

Derbyshire Times news bulletin with editor Phil Bramley

Transcript

00:00Here's today's Derbyshire Times video bulletin.

00:03A major road overhaul, a 60km powerline and a giant solar farm are three Derbyshire infrastructure

00:10projects so large they are to be decided by national government.

00:14Derbyshire's three nationally significant infrastructure projects are the 60km national

00:18grid powerline from Chesterfield to Willington, the A38 junction overhaul through Derby at

00:23Kingsway, Markeaton and Little Eaton, and the 410 acre Oakland solar farm between Walton

00:29on Trent and Rolleston.

00:31These schemes will not be decided by Derbyshire County Council, Derby City Council or any

00:35of the eight district and borough councils who will instead act only as consultees.

00:40The plans will instead be assessed by government planning inspectors who will then make a recommendation

00:45to central government with the relevant Secretary of State to make the final decision.

00:50The national grid scheme is currently in its pre-application stage and not due to be submitted

00:54until November 2026, the planning inspectorate details.

00:58It would involve a 60km string of giant pylons carrying electricity powerline from Chesterfield

01:04along the entire length of the county around Derby to Willington.

01:08National Grid says that the project forms a vital infrastructure upgrade required nationally

01:12and within Derbyshire for future generations.

01:15However, campaigners, including Derbyshire County Council, have raised concerns about

01:19the environmental impact of the scheme on many acres of farmland as well as on historic

01:24protected landmarks and landscapes.

01:28A Chesterfield road has been closed to allow repairs after a tree fell onto a bridge.

01:33The footbridge on Somerset Lane in Chesterfield was closed on Sunday after a tree fell onto

01:37the structure.

01:38The separate neighbouring road bridge has now also been closed to allow emergency repairs

01:42to be carried out to the bridge parapet.

01:45The road is due to remain closed until Friday, January 10th, although Derbyshire County Council

01:49said it may reopen earlier if work is finished ahead of schedule.