Ashbourne’s Dig Street has reopened to traffic as the main contractor for the County Council’s highways and public realm project completes final upgrades, part of the UK Government-funded Ashbourne Reborn programme. With Dig Street open, all road closures in the town centre have ended, providing clear access for both pedestrians and vehicles from Compton into Dig Street and St John Street—the latter having seen scheduled improvements finished in September.
The County Council leads the highways and public realm work, with Galliford Try as contractors. The initiative aims to enhance pedestrian experience and reduce traffic dominance in the historic market town centre. On Dig Street, pavements are now wider, bike parking rings have been installed, and crossing points improved. Pedestrian access between Shawcroft car park and Dig Street is better, thanks to a new pavement that allows safe use of both sides of Henmore Bridge. Additionally, Shrovetide Walk off Henmore Bridge has gained new seating, planting, and an accessible walkway, while two accessible parking bays have been added at the top of Compton.
Because of the wider pavements, Dig Street now only accommodates a single lane of vehicle traffic. To facilitate safe deliveries, two loading bays have been created within the expanded pavements, signaled by different paving and signage. Local partners are encouraging businesses to use these bays and avoid roadside deliveries elsewhere to protect the new pavements and keep traffic flowing smoothly. Visitors are also asked to use only designated parking bays.
Major construction in the town centre should wrap up within a few weeks, with management ensuring the Christmas lights switch-on will proceed as planned on Saturday, 15 November, in the Market Place. After the main work concludes, the County Council will complete further improvements, including enhancements to Station Road and the Shawcroft car park area. These were always intended and should cause little disruption.
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, Councillor Charlotte Hill, said:
“I am pleased that Dig Street is to reopen to traffic, great news for all involved in the project, and for those who live and work in Ashbourne.
“We’ve still got to complete the work on the Market Place and our contractors are doing all they can to do this as quickly as possible. I look forward to seeing the town once all the work is complete.”
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