Still time to improve A38 road scheme, says MP

The upgrade of the A38 was approved in the summer

An MP says there is still time for walking, cycling and public transport improvements to be included in a major expansion of the A38 through Derby.

Plans to create flyovers and underpasses to ease congestion at the Little Eaton, Markeaton and Kingsway roundabouts were approved in August, more than 24 years after a public consultation on how to improve the road.

It is estimated the scheme will cost £646m, but it is being opposed by a local campaign group which says it will create an "urban motorway" and result in large numbers of trees being felled.

Jonathan Davies, Labour MP for Mid Derbyshire, said he has been "heartened" by commitments from National Highways to engage with local people.

The A38 runs through Jonathan Davies's constituency

Davies's constituency includes Markeaton Park - an area which will be affected by the expansion.

Following meetings with National Highways, the MP said he welcomed efforts to minimise the number of trees which would be removed, but would be pushing for improvements.

"We need to use this investment as an opportunity to drive improvements in public transport, walking, cycling and active travel," he said.

He added Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander had said in Parliament that the project had to deliver on other transport improvements.

Campaigner Adrian Howlett says the A38 project needs to go back to the drawing board

Adrian Howlett, who lives close to the A38 and is part of the "Stop the A38 Road Expansion" campaign group, says the project is narrowly focussed on vehicle flow rather than people.

"A much smarter approach would fix the specific pinch points through better junction designs, bus priority, safer cycling, all these sort of things," he said.

"Basically try to reduce car dependency rather than locking it in.

"I'm a big believer in giving people choice rather than only giving them the option to travel by car."

The earliest a start date for the A38 project will be announced is in March 2026.

National Highways said it will "always look to minimise the potential impact of road building on the environment" and that final plans will be published when a main contractor is appointed.

It added: "The A38 Derby Junctions scheme represents an important step forward in reducing congestion in the area, improving journey times and facilitating regional growth and development."