Walls of Railway Cutting extending from approximately 35 yards north of Long Row to Field Lane Bridge and from approximately 45 yards north of King Street to New Road Bridge

The walls of a railway cutting, built for the North Midlands Railway Company between 1837 and 1840, are notable masonry retaining walls with minor alterations made in the late 20th century. An indenture from December 5, 1837, indicates that the specifications and plans were prepared under the direction of George Stephenson and Frederick Swanwick, the principal and resident engineers for the company.

Constructed from ashlar and regularly-coursed squared rock-faced Derbyshire gritstone, the cutting walls have a concave section and are linear in form. They are divided into two parts: the northern section extends from approximately 55 yards north of the Long Row bridge to Field Lane, while the southern part stretches from 45 yards north of King Street to the bridge carrying New Road.

The walls feature a uniform curvature along their length and rise from two deep projecting stone plinth courses. Broad projecting pilasters are spaced at regular intervals, rising to a deep roll moulding that connects with the adjacent walling and bridges, suggesting a cohesive design. Above this moulding, parapet walls are formed of five courses of channelled masonry blocks. The walls are topped with deep saddleback stone copings, which continue the roll moulding onto the bridges that span the cutting.