Red heat warning, the A38, and a National Emergency Briefing film screening
22 June 2026
We hope you stay safe during the heatwave. Met Office forecasters have issued a rare red weather warning for Wednesday and Thursday in the face of extreme heat and humidity, while a red heat health alert has been issued in England indicating “a risk to life for even the healthy population”.
The Met Office says:“It is virtually certain that human influence has increased the occurrence and intensity of extreme heat events. Numerous climate attribution studies have shown that human influence increased the chance that specific extreme heat events would occur, such as the summer of 2018 and July 2022.”
We have been campaigning against the A38 road expansion since 2019 primarily because it will worsen the climate crisis. This scheme will increase carbon emissions both via construction and increased operational traffic while also destroying 11.8 hectares of mature trees that absorb carbon and provide shade.
The construction alone is 131,000 tons of CO2. Then the induced traffic from the extra road capacity will increase CO2 emissions further. The numbers in National Highways own planning documents state this on page 24.
This is also why the first legal challenge was successful, because the scheme will lead to an increase in CO2 emissions.
If the CO2 reductions from traffic flow were to negate the construction and induced traffic, National Highways would be broadcasting this loudly to fight off legal challenges.
National Highways tree felling plans show the loss of trees. 11.38 hectares of woodland will be cut down for the A38 expansion with only 6.40 hectares replanted by National Highways.
This scheme was conceived in 2001 based on only a road based study, meaning no alternative sustainable forms of transport have ever been considered. The authorities have just been pushing ahead with the road expansion, despite the likelihood it will only increase traffic and congestion in the long-run.
We know that stopping this scheme will not be enough on its own to stop climate change getting worse, but investing in transport infrastructure that lowers carbon emissions and preserves nature, is part of the solution.
Every village, town, city and country in the world must play its part in reducing emissions. Here in England, we must stop funnelling billions into destructive and polluting road infrastructure and instead focus on repairing existing roads and funding public transport and active travel instead.
If you haven’t already please write to decision makers to tell them to cancel the a38 expansion: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/a38-expansion-a-harmful-road-scheme-with-a-collapsing-economic-case-write-to-decision-makers
The harms of this road were well documented during the planning examination and the Secretary of State for Transport acknowledged them weighing against approving the scheme. Yet the Secretary of State decided that the economic benefits outweighed the harm. The economic case has collapsed yet the harms remain.
National Emergency Briefing screening at QUAD Cinema in Derby
The UK faces a growing climate and nature emergency. Yet most people have never been fully briefed on what it means for our lives, our economy and our future. A new film from the National Emergency Briefing (NEB) sets out the risks facing the nation and the credible, positive responses available, in a clear and accessible account designed for screenings in communities across the UK.
The film will be shown FREE of charge at the Quad in Derby on Sunday, 28 June, at 18:30.
This is being organised by Derby Climate Coalition and the Quad, with significant support from Derby City Council.
The MP, Jonathan Davies, will attend. Here is the booking link for the screening and discussion: https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/emergencybriefing/
Chester Green Community Centre in Derby will also screen the film on 16/07/2026 at 18:30.
Further information on other screenings can be found at https://www.nebriefing.org/screening-map
