The UK Government funded Ashbourne Reborn Highways and Public Realm project will reach a major milestone as St John Street reopens to traffic this coming Monday morning (8 September). The popular shopping street in the town centre has seen significant improvements designed to improve the pedestrian experience and reduce the dominance of vehicles in the town centre, including new wider pavements and improved crossings for pedestrians.
The Highways and Public Realm project is led by the County Council, with contractors Galliford Try carrying out works on their behalf. The reopening of St John Street is one of several significant events marking progress as the transformation project approaches the final months. Throughout the autumn it will be followed by the completion of Millennium Square, further works including new street furniture and tree planting at the transformed Shrovetide walk and Market Place, and the reopening of Dig Street to traffic.
After the main contractors have finished, the County Council is due to carry out some remaining work, including improvements to Shawcroft car park and Station Road. This was always planned and is expected to cause minimal disruption.
Councillor Charlotte Hill, Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Potholes, Highways and Transport, said:
‘I am delighted that St John Street will reopen to traffic on Monday. I went to visit Ashbourne a few weeks ago and could tell that the changes being made are really going to make the town a much more attractive place to visit. We hope that Ashbourne will see an increase in the numbers of tourists and visitors to local businesses.
‘We’ve still a fair amount of work to do to finish the improvements, but will carry on until they are completed. We know that the works have caused disruption for everyone working, living or visiting the town, but I hope everyone will agree that Ashbourne will be much better for them.’
Derbyshire Dales District Councillor David Hughes, who Chairs the Ashbourne Reborn Programme Board said:
‘It is a credit to all involved that this significant milestone has been achieved on schedule as planned. The transformation has created a much better environment for visitors to St John Street, and all the project partners are looking forward to seeing more progress through the autumn as the contractor completes works around the town centre.’
The Ashbourne Reborn regeneration proposals originated from businesses and community groups within the town, and partnership work is ongoing with Ashbourne Town Team, Ashbourne Town Council and AshCom. In particular, the core Highways and Public Realm project was developed based on proposals to widen the footways and enhance the public realm put forward by Ashbourne Town Team, representing local businesses.
The programme, which is designed to bring back vibrancy, vitality and economic prosperity to the town centre, has seen the transformation of public spaces including the Market Place, Victoria Square, Millenium Square, and Shrovetide Walk. Wider pavements and improved crossings are being installed at St John Street, Dig Street, Buxton Road, and Station Road to improve the pedestrian experience and reduce the dominance of vehicles in the town centre.
A second project, led by Ashbourne Methodist Church, will deliver new community and events facilities at The Link Centre community hub, which is expected to open in Spring 2026, with new accommodation at Gateway Lodge also expected to open at a similar time.
Ashbourne Reborn is a £15.9m programme aimed at transforming Ashbourne town centre through significant improvements to highways and public realm and the development of the Link Community Hub. It is funded by UK Central Government via the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
The District Council is the Accountable Body for Ashbourne Reborn, Derbyshire County Council is responsible for delivering the Highways and Public Realm project and Ashbourne Methodist Church the Link Community Hub. These partners work in collaboration with Ashbourne Town Team, Ashbourne Town Council and AshCom who brought forward proposals, identified opportunities and raised match funding for the original bid.
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