Derby MP vows to make sure A38 case is ‘properly considered’

Derby South MP Baggy Shanker. Image by Derby City Council.

Derby MP Baggy Shanker has vowed to ensure a case to reinstate a major A38 upgrade scheme “is properly considered”.

But Mr Shanker and fellow city MP Catherine Atkinson have not said whether they think cancelling the estimated £600m project is the right decision or not.

Last week, it was announced that the major project to upgrade one of Derby’s busiest roads – as well as the A46 in Nottinghamshire – could be scrapped to fund more defence spending.

The A38 work would involve the creation of flyovers, underpasses, and roads widened from four lanes (two on either side) to six (three on either side) in a bid to ease congestion problems.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward reacted furiously to the proposed scrapping – claiming she was not consulted before potential cutbacks were announced to fund the Defence Investment Plan.

Since then, the mayor has written to MPs and council leaders across the region calling to make a “united case” to the Government in a bid to reinstate both road schemes.

Ms Ward wrote: “The East Midlands cannot be expected to drive national growth while being asked to accept the loss of the very infrastructure that makes that growth possible.”

In response, Derby South MP Mr Shanker said he would work with the mayor and councillors “to make sure Derby’s case is properly considered”.

He said: “I have long worked to strengthen Derby’s transport infrastructure, including on the A38. The consultation on this proposal has now opened, and I will work with the Mayor, the council, residents, businesses and local partners to make sure Derby’s case is properly considered.

“One of the first duties of any government is to protect our country, and Derby has a proud role in that national effort.

“Keeping Britain secure means backing places like Derby, where people make things the country relies on. I’ll keep working to bring investment into our city, so Derby gets the jobs, links and backing we need.”

Derby North MP Ms Atkinson stated the importance of defence spending.

She said: “These proposals are now subject to consultation, and I will continue listening carefully to residents as that process moves forward.

“Derby has always helped power Britain, from industry to defence. I am proud of our city’s role in the country’s security. My job is to serve Derby and support the Government’s work to protect Britain and keep our country safe.”

The proposed cancellation of the controversial scheme has been welcomed by campaigners and action groups.

The Stop The A38 Expansion group, which has long battled against the project on environmental and economic grounds, welcomed the plan to cancel the scheme.

The group has campaigned for seven years against the project, stating it would mean the destruction of nearly 12 hectares of woodland, increased carbon emissions and poorer air quality.

Clare Wood from the campaign group said: “It is right that this wasteful, outdated road scheme is halted as all it would do is inflict harm on local residents’ health and the environment with no justifiable benefits.”

Transport Action Network – an action group to seek “more sustainable” transport modes in communities, said it was “delighted” there were plans to scrap the A38 and A46 projects, calling them “damaging”.