Derbyshire County Council has been slammed as ‘inept’ and ‘working at a snail’s pace’ for its failure to resolve the ongoing issues at Somersall Lane Bridge in Chesterfield, after 15 months of disruption following the collapse of a tree in January 2025.
The tree damaged the pedestrian bridge beyond repair, leading to temporary traffic lights being installed, which should have been addressed by ‘autumn 2025’.
The bridge has been out of action since it was damaged beyond repair and the situation has been further complicated by the presence of utility infrastructure beneath the bridge, which must be diverted before a replacement can be installed.
Toby Perkins said, “This situation has dragged on for far too long, and local people are understandably frustrated and concerned. The temporary traffic lights are unreliable and create confusion and danger for motorists.
From what I have been told, the latest delay now appears to be down to Derbyshire County Council failing to complete the most basic step of making payment to BT Openreach so that essential works can begin.”
More than a year on, local residents are continuing to face daily disruption, with temporary traffic lights regularly malfunctioning and often becoming stuck on red for prolonged periods. This has left motorists with the choice of waiting unnecessarily long times or risking driving through red lights, raising serious safety concerns.
Pedestrians are also being put at risk, as they are currently forced to share the road with vehicles along what is a key walking route to Brookfield School.
BT Openreach is still waiting for Derbyshire County Council to make payment for the agreed scheme to divert affected ducts away from the footbridge. While the Council has signed the necessary documentation, payment has yet to be made.
Mr Perkins added, “I am urging the County Council to take urgent action to ensure the full repair works can be completed. The constant delays, the administrative cock-ups and the failing traffic lights all lead people to conclude that they are utterly inept and the work, much like other highways issues, are being completed at a snail’s pace.
“Residents are expected to pay their council tax bills on time, so they shouldn’t expect these delays caused by the Council not getting round to paying their bills. The Council originally told us that BT Openreach were the cause of the delay but ultimately admitted that it was due to the authority’s failure to pay the bill. “
Residents are fed up with this drawn-out saga. God knows how much it has already cost the local authority, particularly considering the number of times they have had to be called out to repair the traffic lights.
Together with the pothole crisis and poorly managed roadworks across the county causing mayhem on our roads, it is clear that Reform lack either the ability or the will to manage our highways effectively.”
