Work has started on the ‘greenway trail’ on the Shallcross Incline of a historic railway in Whaley Bridge. The greenway is expected to open in November, giving off-road access to walkers, horse riders and cyclists (but not motor cyclists).
The greenway is nearly 600 yards long, running from Shallcross Mill Road, near the local Scout hut, on an uphill, tree-lined route to Shallcross Road.
The work, being done by Derbyshire county council staff, follows a long period of planning, appeal and consultation processes. The greenway will have a hard surface path, just less than three yards wide, with banked up soil and a variety of natural plant growth each side. An arbour of trees covers most of its length.
The original High Peak and Cromford Railway which used the incline, linked the canal basin at Whaley Bridge with the industrial site, especially cotton factories, which were established very early near Matlock.
The greenway achieves a long-held ambition for Whaley Bridge Town Council. Chairman Jon Goldfinch said: ” It has been an aspiration of Whaley Bridge Town Council for 40years to open up this route . It forms a new link on the Goyt Valley Trail, with the aim of creating a wider multi-user trail network linking Whaley Bridge with the Goyt Valley and Buxton. This is not only a fantastic new amenity for all those living in Whaley Bridge, but will also bring walkers and cyclists to the area which will help to support and grow the local economy. I would like to thank Councillor John Swift for all his efforts in bringing the Greenway to fruition. We understand the reservations of some residents whose houses back on to the new greenway, but we believe that this new path for walkers, cyclists and horseriders will in future be seen to be one of gems of Whaley Bridge.”