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 | | NEW RAILINGS ENHANCE HISTORIC MATLOCK PARKS RESTORATION | | | Alpha Rail | | 07/11/2007 | | | Derbyshire Dales District Council is currently restoring five historic parks and pleasure grounds that run along the Derwent Valley and connect Matlock to picturesque Matlock Bath, an area popular with tourists and weekend visitors. The aim of the project is to restore the historical landscape, whilst conserving and improving the ecological value of the sites, as well as enhancing its safety and desirability to tourists.
The ambitious £.5 million, 5-year Matlock Parks Project, which is part funded by a £2.67 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, is enabling improvements to be made to the five popular parks; Hall Leys Park, Pic Tor, Derwent Gardens, Lovers' Walk and High Tor Grounds.
One of these improvements has been the installation of new railings and gates to provide greater safety and security to hikers and weekend visitors to this area of outstanding beauty.
Bespoke metalwork manufacturer Alpha Rail, based in Nottinghamshire, successfully won the contract to supply 600m? of timber post and rail and 600m of estate rail in galvanized mild steel for High Tor, a scenic walkway that takes in a spectacular 300 foot rock rising from the bed of the river Derwent. The company also supplied 100m of bowtop fencing and over 100m of handrail in galvanized mild steel, for Lovers Walks, a narrow path which passes along a series of small cliffs overlooking the river, with scenic views of Matlock Bath and the nearby Heights of Abraham. All railings were supplied powder coated to the main contractors Jacksons Civil Engineering to enhance longevity.
Phil Ball, sales director, explains: “As a local company, we were delighted to be successful in tendering to provide railings for this prestigious project which is part of this region’s heritage. The design of the railings means they are perfectly in keeping with their surroundings and ensures that the park is enjoyed by local residents and visitors to the area, whilst their safety is protected, for many years to come.”
Alison Baker, project manager explains: “The new railings will complement the appearance of the parks, as well as contributing towards the restoration of an historic feature. The completed parks are already attracting more visitors to the area, whilst also providing new facilities for local residents.”
Alpha Rail has extensive experience in the restoration of areas of natural beauty through the supply of new gates and railings, with others including Dorchester Gardens, Battersea Park in Wandsworth (winner of a Civic Trust Award), Roundhay Park in Leeds and Handsworth Park in Birmingham.
The cost of the investment in this latest phase totals nearly £300,000 and is funded by a combination of sources: the Heritage Lottery Fund, Derbyshire Dales District Council, Matlock Town Council, SITA, the Forestry Commission via their English Woodlands Grant Scheme, Rural Transport Partnership and contributions of work-in-kind from many local individuals and organisations. | |
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