Derby Calls for Fresh Debate After Government Puts £600m A38 Upgrade on Hold

Derby City Council is urging ministers to revisit long-standing proposals to upgrade the A38 after the Government paused the £600 million scheme, with local leaders questioning whether plans first developed more than two decades ago still reflect the region's transport priorities.

The future of the long-planned A38 Derby junction improvements has been thrown into further uncertainty after Derby City Council called for a fresh public consultation following the Government's decision to shelve the project.

The scheme, valued at around £600 million, has been under development for more than 25 years and was granted approval in July 2025. However, it is now among a number of major transport projects facing potential cancellation as the Government redirects capital spending towards increased defence investment.

Council leader Councillor Nadine Peatfield believes the latest pause provides an opportunity to reassess whether the proposals still meet the city's needs.

While acknowledging the importance of improving one of the East Midlands' busiest strategic routes, she questioned whether a scheme conceived more than two decades ago remains the most appropriate solution in light of changing transport priorities, environmental considerations and evolving patterns of travel.

The proposed improvements include widening sections of the A38 together with the construction of flyovers and underpasses at Little Eaton, Markeaton and Kingsway roundabouts. The project was designed to improve traffic flow through Derby, reduce congestion and support future housing and economic growth across the region.

However, the proposals have divided opinion since public consultation first began in 2001.

Councillor Peatfield said the council has consistently viewed the A38 project as one led by central government, but believes it is now appropriate for residents to have another opportunity to express their views.

She noted that significant changes have taken place over the past 25 years, including growing awareness of climate change, biodiversity protection and the need to improve public transport and active travel infrastructure alongside investment in roads.

The council leader said balancing national traffic movements with local growth remains important but questioned whether the current proposals fully reflect today's transport challenges.

Campaigners opposed to the road widening have also welcomed the prospect of a review.

Adrian Howlett, representing the Stop the A38 Expansion campaign, said the latest announcement was disappointing but not unexpected given the escalating cost of the project.

He argued that the scheme has become increasingly outdated and called on ministers to consider a broader range of transport solutions rather than focusing solely on expanding road capacity.

Howlett said future investment should place greater emphasis on sustainable transport options capable of supporting Derby's long-term economic and environmental ambitions.

The Government's decision has prompted wider concern across the East Midlands, where several major infrastructure projects have been paused.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward described the shelving of both the A38 improvements and the A46 Newark Bypassas unacceptable, warning that the loss of investment risks undermining regional growth.

Councillor Peatfield echoed those concerns, saying the removal of significant transport funding would represent a major setback for Derby's economic development ambitions.

She also highlighted the city's importance to the UK's defence industry, arguing that while increased national defence spending is understandable, investment decisions must also recognise the infrastructure needs of communities that support those industries.

The A38 improvements formed part of the Department for Transport's £27 billion Road Investment Strategy, which sets out long-term plans for improving England's strategic road network.

With ministers now reviewing transport spending priorities, the future of one of the Midlands' most debated road schemes remains uncertain, while calls continue to grow for a modern reassessment of how best to meet the region's transport needs.