Derby City Council boss calls for rethink after A38 plans shelved

A public consultation on how to improve the A38 started in 2001, but the project has since been paused repeatedly.

Peatfield, leader of the Labour-led authority, said: “We’ve always been clear that the A38 was a national government project as is the decision to carry out further consultation.

“We recognise that this project remains divisive in Derby.

“On the one hand, national traffic needs to flow through Derby and not hinder local traffic, growth and new housing.

“On the other hand, it may be the only plan but is it the right plan for today, 25 years on? There are climate and biodiversity ramifications plus a lack of public transport and active travel considerations.

“We agree that it’s time for the public to have another say. It has been 25 years since the original consultation, and there have been significant changes during that time.

“It is therefore right that residents have the chance to have their views heard again.”

Adrian Howlett, from the Stop the A38 expansion group, said he felt “mixed” but “really not surprised”.

“By the government’s own numbers, the cost of this scheme had spiralled to £600m,” he said.

Howlett said the group was “disappointed” that there had been no announcement that other options would be explored, and described the current scheme as “completely outdated”.

He added: “Let’s actually get some investment into Derby that isn’t just a massive roads-dependent scheme and actually looks at all the options.”