Derby's £250m A38 Project in Limbo Amid Review

The long-awaited £250 million A38 Derby junctions project, aimed at improving traffic flow with flyovers and underpasses, is now under government review. This review could potentially halt the project, which has already faced numerous delays and legal challenges.

What happened

The £250m A38 project in Derby is currently under review as part of a wider government spending assessment:

• The project involves creating flyovers and underpasses at Little Eaton, Markeaton, and Kingsway Islands.

• It aims to address congestion on the A38, a key route between Birmingham and the M1.

• So far, the project has cost millions in planning, property acquisition, and legal battles.

Why it matters

This project has been in development for over 40 years, yet progress remains slow:

• Rising material costs, expected to increase by 3.2% in the next 12 months, have inflated the original £250m budget.

• The government’s capital review, aiming to reduce a £22bn funding gap, may lead to the project being scrapped.

• Environmental groups have raised concerns about the destruction of 11.38 hectares of woodland and increased traffic.

Catch-up

The A38 project has a long history of delays:

• Initial plans date back to the 1960s.

• In 2021, environmental groups successfully paused the project with a legal challenge.

• The government revised the proposal in 2023, but the project remains controversial due to environmental and cost concerns.

By the numbers

• £250 million: Current project cost estimate.

• 3.2%: Expected rise in construction material prices over the next year.

• 11.38 hectares: Woodland set for destruction, with only 6.4 hectares to be replanted.

What they’re saying

Environmental groups argue the funds would be better spent on public transport:

• The Department for Transport and National Highways maintain that the project is essential for reducing congestion.

Bottom line

The future of Derby’s A38 project remains uncertain, with the government’s spending review likely to determine whether it proceeds or is abandoned.