A38 Derby Upgrade Delayed Until 2030 Despite £600m Approval

Work on a major scheme to improve capacity and reduce congestion on the A38 in Derby is not expected to begin until 2030, despite receiving government approval last year.

The £600 million project includes plans to introduce flyovers and underpasses at the busy Little Eaton, Markeaton and Kingsway roundabouts, alongside road widening to improve traffic flow on a key route through the city.

Approved by the government in July, the scheme forms part of the Department for Transport’s wider £27 billion road investment programme aimed at upgrading major routes across England.

The improvements are designed to ease congestion where local traffic intersects with long-distance journeys between Birmingham and the M1, a stretch of road that has long been identified as a bottleneck.

However, the project has attracted criticism from campaigners, who argue the funding could be better directed towards sustainable transport options and environmental protection. A local campaign group has described the scheme as a “waste of money”, calling instead for investment in infrastructure that reduces reliance on cars.

In contrast, the government maintains the project will deliver “smoother and safer journeys” for drivers, while local council leaders have welcomed it as a significant boost for Derby’s economy.

The A38 upgrade has a long and complex history. Initial consultations on improving the route began as far back as 2001, but the scheme has faced multiple delays, redesigns, and legal challenges over the years.

The Department for Transport has now confirmed a timeline for delivery, with construction expected to begin during the second phase of its next road investment period, between 2030 and 2031.

Once underway, National Highways estimates the build will take around four years to complete.

The delay means that, despite decades of planning, motorists and local residents will need to wait several more years before seeing any improvements to one of Derby’s busiest routes.