Government ‘on Derby’s side’ but A38 works still in doubt

The A38 in Derby could be set for major improvements - but a fresh legal challenge maybe submitted. Image by Google Maps.

The Work and Pensions secretary has insisted the new Prime Minister and Government “is on Derby’s side” – but major improvements to the A38 remain in doubt.

It was recently announced that an estimated £600m project to improve one of Derby’s busiest roads was up for cancellation so further funding could be put into the UK’s defence.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward furiously hit out after funding guarantees for both the A38 and the A46 in Nottinghamshire were left in jeopardy due to the Defence Investment Plan, announced by then Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Since then, a new PM has been appointed with Andy Burnham replacing Mr Starmer at No.10.

Mr Burnham and two other leaders of his new-look Government visited Derby’s Alstom factory on Tuesday (July 28th).

The PM, on his first visit to the city since his appointment to lead the UK, was joined by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden, and Education Secretary Lucy Powell to launch major changes to education.

During the visit, Mr McFadden told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the new-look Government was “definitely on Derby’s side” as he praised the city’s leading employers for helping young people.

But when asked if the Government would support funding the A38 project –  he stressed the Government “can’t always say yes” to funding projects.

He said: “The thing about governing is you are always having to make decisions about finances – there’s always more calls on finances for investment, compared to what you would really like to do.

“Sometimes those decisions can frustrate people. But I’m afraid it is in the nature of Government and that’s what we have to do.”

Mr McFadden was then asked directly if the A38 scheme would be cancelled.

He replied: “I can’t speak for that specific road project, but the really difficult job for the Chancellor and Prime Minister is having to square off all the different demands.

“Whether it’s road projects, money for defence, money for NHS – this is what the country has to do every day.

“What the voters understand underneath everything, I think, is Government can’t always say yes.

“There has to be a stable budget, stable economy. Sometimes you have to look at everything and say ‘yes’ to some things, but not always with everything.”

The Department for Transport said a consultation was to take place to consider the proposed cancellations of both the A38 and A46 schemes in the East Midlands.

Mayor Claire Ward said she is fighting to secure the road projects in a “Team East Midlands” campaign, but was unsure of the details of the consultation.

Speaking during the PM’s visit to Derby, the Mayor said she was “confident” Mr Burnham’s policies so far – such as removing VAT on energy bills, capping bus fares to £2 and lowering pub business rates – would boost the region.

Ms Ward said: “We are seeing a huge amount of change. Just look at what this Prime Minister Andy Burnham has done in the last week. The announcements he’s made and the hope he is giving back to my constituents in the East Midlands and right across the country.”