Huge A38 update ‘in due course’

A huge update on whether a major upgrade of the A38 in Derby will happen or not is to be provided “in due course”, the Government has said.

Proposals have been in place for some time for one of Derby’s most busiest roads to undergo major and transformational upgrades.

National Highways, running the proposed scheme, has said the cost would be £250 million or more and would see a four-year construction programme to create flyovers and underpasses at the current Little Eaton, Markeaton and Kingsway islands. It would also see the road widened from four lanes to six lanes.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the body says the current capacity at the three roundabouts leads to frequent congestion, poor journey time reliability, and safety concerns – meaning improvements would be beneficial.

But for years, the project has been clouded with uncertainty, with it going to the High Court on multiple occasions over environmental and economic concerns. Campaigners have held protests against the scheme and successfully stopped the scheme through its first legal challenge in 2021. But the Government then reapproved the scheme in 2023 before it returned to the courts, and it appears the uncertainty over the project continues.

In March, National Highways released an update on the scheme, saying that a second legal challenge over the project had been concluded. But it suggested the Government’s Spending Review – which was announced last week – would be key as far as the future of the scheme was concerned.

It said: “The Transport Secretary has commissioned a review of the Department for Transports’ spending portfolio, including current and future road schemes. While the review is ongoing, we remain committed to the scheme and are currently updating costs estimates and developing our procurement and communication strategy.”

Recently, the Goverment’s Department of Transport (DfT), indicated a huge update on the A38 is coming – but what its contents will be are uncertain.

A DfT spokesperson said: “We are committed to maintaining, renewing and improving our strategic road network to ensure that it works for people, businesses and freight, up and down the country. We will provide more information on what the Spending Review means for the A38 Derby Junctions in due course.”

A National Highways spokesperson added: “Our motorways and major A roads are crucial to Britain’s economy, and we are committed to maintaining a safe and reliable road network for drivers.

“We welcome the Government’s Spending Review and are working through what the announcement means for individual schemes. Further details on the next steps will come in due course.”

The Stop the A38 Road Expansion campaign group claimed the project should not go ahead due its “negative environmental impacts” and on economic grounds. They claimed the proposed works will increase carbon emissions, increase traffic and destroy thousands of trees at Markeaton Park.

The Stop the A38 Expansion campaign said on its website recently: “It is concerning that there is still no clear decision from the Government on whether to fund the A38 Derby Junctions scheme. We urge ministers to listen to the evidence and local voices before committing public money to a destructive, polluting, and outdated road project.”