Derby Riverside – Phase 1

Derby Riverboat Outram was designed and built from the outset with accessibility in mind. The boat is equipped with an electric lift which enables passengers who are less mobile to be gently lowered down to the main cabin of the boat from the rear deck. However, Outram’s passengers have not been able to use this facility since its launch onto the river Derwent in 2022 because of an extended wait for an accessible boarding platform. Until now passengers have had to descend onto the back deck of Outram via a set of “swimming pool style” steps under Causey Bridge; but soon passengers will be able to board via a much more fit for purpose landing stage.

With huge thanks to Derbyshire based, Gowercroft Joinery who funded much of the project, plans were able to move forward in 2026.

The new boat station and boarding platform will be installed outside the Museum of Making and is expected to be completed by September 2026. Passengers will be able to walk down a ramp from the riverside path and onto a stable platform which has been designed to be exactly the same height as the rear deck of Outram. The boarding platform has been carefully designed so that in the event of a flood, the whole assembly will rise safely out of the way to prevent damage to either the boat, the pontoon, or surrounding buildings and trees.

The new boarding platform is Phase 1 in a three-phase proposal for Derby City Centre. Although the Derby Riverboat cruise route is very beautiful, the city centre riverside specifically, has not yet reached its full potential. The Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust’s aspiration is to transform and regenerate the riverside in central Derby into a beautiful place to relax and spend time for both the people of Derby and those visiting the city. Completion of Derby Riverside Phase 1 demonstrates that non-profit organisations like ours and teams of motivated volunteers can make a big impact in improving our urban environment for everyone.