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Work on the A6 in the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site area

We're using government funding from the Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund to repair the condition of the historic retaining walls in different places along a 4-mile stretch of the A6 between Matlock and Whatstandwell.


A6 retaining wall

The retaining walls were built in the early 19th century and support the main A6 carriageway along the River Derwent.

The project

As part of the programme, we've installed new smart technology sensors in the road drainage gullies to provide an early alert of any blockages for targeted emptying.

Four sensors have been installed as part of a trial, including 2 at the busy Cromford Hill junction with the A6 Derby Road which is prone to flooding.

The sensors constantly monitor the level of water in the road drain and if it starts to rise, extra cleaning and gulley emptying can be carried out to remove any blockages to minimise the risk of surface water flooding.

We've also completed structural and ecology surveys of the walls and identified priority sites for repair, using a range of techniques including:

  • rebuilding, repointing and the replacement of damaged stones, using local sourced Derbyshire stone
  • installing new, hidden steel ground anchors up to 6 metres long to reinforce the walls, providing additional strength and stability
  • drainage improvements to reduce flooding and damage to the foundations of the retaining walls

Urgent repairs have already been completed along one section of the A6 at Pavilion Gardens.

Once finished, this work will help us to ensure that the A6 remains a reliable route for local residents, commuters, business and tourist traffic.

We'd like to thank people for their patience and understanding while these essential works are carried out.