A big part of Derby city centre’s landscape has “dramatically changed” following demolition work

Major flood defence improvements are taking place on Derwent Street - changing Derby's landscape. Images by LDRS

A big part of Derby city centre’s landscape has “dramatically changed” following demolition work.

Questions about the nature of the works have been raised after motorists and pedestrians will have seen lots of building activity around the Derwent Street area of Derby.

The answer to all the diggers is simple, Derby is increasing its flood defences as part of a massive £95 million project to protect homes and businesses.

City leaders say the current phase of work will deliver defences which will be a “game-changer” after heavy floods hit the city hard in recent years.

Officials say the works will provide significant flood resilience to properties and highways between Exeter Bridge (Derwent Street) and Causey Bridge (Silk Mill) in the city centre.

It is one phase of Derby City City Council’s Our City Our River (OCOR) project which aims to bolster the city’s response to major flooding events. So far, work across the city has delivered enhanced flood protection to over 2,000 properties.

As seen in 2019 and more recently by Storm Babet in 2023, Derby can be very vulnerable when major flooding happens when the river bursts its banks.

Storm Babet saw the River Derwent rise to its highest levels since records began 90 years ago. Businesses, including Derby’s Museum of Making, were significantly flooded as well as homes and it caused heavy disruption on the roads.

Striking images of the floods were the museum flooded and a group of people kayaking on the flooded water at Pentagon Island.

The current work – known as “Derby Riverside” – has seen Peat House on Stuart Street and Crompton House on Derwent Street demolished in recent months. The latter used to be a NatWest bank.

The aim of bulldozing the buildings is to make way for a new flood wall, floodgates and a riverside green area that will provide a controlled corridor for flood waters to pass through the city safely.

The recent demolitions have opened up the city centre landscape, revealing new views of Derby Cathedral from the back of the River Derwent.

The council says Derby Riverside is divided into eight “reaches” of work, which are progressing concurrently. At five of these reaches, piling has now been completed clearing the way for the new flood walls to take shape.

Work has been taking place near the Smithfield pub where the proposed flood wall has been realigned to keep the pub on the dry side of the defences.

The Meadow Road award-winning pub has been hit by severe floods in Derby in years gone by.

A total of 270 trees have already been planted at sites along the river corridor, including Nottingham Road, Cathedral Green and City Road. Further planting is planned over the coming weeks,

Councillor Carmel Swan, cabinet member for sustainability, said: “The transformation at Derby Riverside already is truly remarkable. From a quick walk near the site, you can see the scale of what we’re achieving, and the challenges we’re overcoming in the process.

“These defences aren’t just for the here and now, they are to help safeguard our city’s future.

“These new defences will be a game-changer when we’re faced with high water levels, and I’m delighted with how things are progressing. This would not be possible without the close collaboration with our partners.”

It is hoped the completion of Derby Riverside will unlock the regeneration potential on the left bank of the river, allowing opportunities for developing new homes and businesses due to increased flood resilience.