Derby residents say cancelling A38 expansion is an opportunity for better transport in Derby
Residents holding signs at locations across the city, each highlighting a different negative impact of the A38 Derby Junctions scheme.
28 October 2026
As the decision around the future of the A38 is expected in the coming weeks, local Derby and Derbyshire residents who support the scheme’s cancellation have launched a new campaign to reiterate their case.
The new photo campaign - launched today to coincide with the Budget - shows residents holding signs at locations across the city, each highlighting a different negative impact of the A38 Derby Junctions scheme.
The scheme - proposed under the government’s RIS 3 investment plan - would turn three roundabouts into grade-separated junctions, with underpasses, flyovers, slip roads and extra lanes. National Highways now puts the cost at £656m, almost triple the original £200-250m estimate.
Construction is expected to last at least four years and cause significant disruption to Derby communities and connectivity. The Markeaton Park footbridge would be closed for nearly two years, and Mackworth would face ongoing road closures for the length of the scheme. The project would see nearly 12 hectares of trees destroyed, with plans to replant just 6 hectares.
Planning documents also show that the scheme will increase air pollution, especially around Markeaton junction and the Royal School for the Deaf. Traffic modelling warns that it risks worsening congestion on the local road network, and predicts more traffic on the A38 overall once the scheme is built - defeating the object of the scheme, which is to reduce congestion.
The Stop the A38 Expansion campaign believes that the scheme’s cancellation would provide an opportunity for Derby to invest in better public transport, and walking and cycling routes in and around the city, for a fraction of the scheme’s cost.
Hundreds of residents support cancellation, highlighting instead the opportunity for Derby to do things differently. They want to make local streets safer and quieter, clean the air and cut congestion by connecting communities better and giving people more transport choices, protecting local green spaces and nature.
Despite an announcement from the government in the summer that the scheme was under review, and a subsequent consultation (which closed in September), National Highways still listed the scheme in its latest pipeline of road projects, presented at an industry event this month. The residents’ group would like to see the government end the uncertainty around the scheme’s future, so alternatives can be brought forward.
Residents’ quotes
“Increasing speeds and volumes of traffic on the A38 will increase congestion and road danger on all the surrounding roads in Derby. We need better than that for our city - let's spend the A38 scheme money to have regular buses that aren't stuck in traffic jams, safe pedestrian crossings, cycle routes protected from drivers and streets with trees and space for living as well as parking.”
Kate Ball, parent and resident near Bemrose school and Kingsway
“The back garden of my house already has shocking noise from the A38, which has concrete walls reflecting noise into the community. That would only get worse with more traffic and a wider road.”
John Brebner, Chartered Accountant, Darley Ward
“This summer’s heatwaves gave us an ominous glimpse of what’s coming. Cancelling the A38 scheme lets Derby spend that money on transport that cuts emissions and gives people choices, so our streets can be quieter, cleaner and safer.”
Naomi Wilds, Manchester Street resident
“The A38 is a bottleneck of toxic fumes right outside our homes and the Royal Derby Hospital. The expansion will invite more traffic, lock in higher carbon emissions, costs to our community's long-term health and takes away acres of green spaces that clean our air and shade our neighborhoods.”
Frances, NHS Worker and Abbey ward Resident
“Derby’s economy needs people to get to work, college and the shops reliably, not a bigger road that fills up again. Cancelling the A38 scheme lets us invest in buses, trains and safe walking and cycling, giving more people a choice and making our streets less congested.”
Niki, Belper resident
Footnotes
Department for Transport, RIS3 Variation Consultation. The government identified the A38 and A46 schemes as sources of savings for the Defence Investment Plan on 30 June 2026, and the consultation closed on 14 September 2026.
National Highways pipeline of road projects, presented by Jo Jarvis at an industry event and reported by Highways magazine, 21 October 2026: https://www.highwaysmagazine.co.uk/companies-and-contracts/national-highways-proposes-schemes-85bn-pipeline The scheme is listed at £656.2m, 2026 to 2028.
Office of Rail and Road, annual assessment of National Highways' performance 2024-25: https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-08/annual-assessment-of-national-highways-performance-2024-2025-web.pdf
Derby City Council Local Highway Impact Report - which contains the traffic modelling analysis for the local network and severance of walking and cycling routes: https://nsip-documents.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/published-documents/TR010022-000814-DCiC%20LHIR.pdf
Derby City Council asked National Highways to consider mitigation for predicted traffic increases on local roads caused by the scheme. National Highways' response, recorded in the Statement of Common Ground: the worsening of local roads is "an inevitable effect" of the scheme. Statement of Common Ground (page 52): https://nsip-documents.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/published-documents/TR010022-000841-TR010022_A38_8.7_SoCG_Derby_City_Council.pdf
Air pollution increase at Royal School of the Deaf on page 33 of National Highways’ planning document 6.1 Environmental Statement Chapter 5 - Air Quality (PDF, 263KB): https://nsip-documents.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/published-documents/TR010022-000446-TR010022_A38_6.1_Environmental_Statement_Chapter_5.pdf
Carbon emission increase detailed on page 24 of National Highways’ planning document 6.1 Environmental Statement Chapter 14 - Climate (PDF, 149KB): https://nsip-documents.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/published-documents/TR010022-000456-TR010022_A38_6.1_Environmental_Statement_Chapter_14.pdf
Tree loss: Over 11.38 hectares of trees will be cut down, with only 6.40 hectares replanted, including the loss of a veteran oak tree and other centuries-old trees in and around Markeaton Park. Trees to be felled detailed on page 96 of National Highways’ planning document Deadline 9 Submission - 6.1 Environmental Statement Chapter 8(a) - Biodiversity - Tracked (PDF, 706KB): https://nsip-documents.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/published-documents/TR010022-001207-6-1_ES_-_Chapter_8(a)_-_.pdf
