A38 Derby Junctions upgrade gets the green light

The Government has given the formal green light by granting a Development Consent Order for the project, which will see journeys improved by upgrading the roundabouts at Kingsway, Markeaton and Little Eaton. 

National Highways’ proposals were initially granted consent in January 2021. Following a legal challenge and a High Court ruling that the decision be quashed, the application has undergone a thorough redetermination process leading to today’s announcement.   

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: 

“We continue to invest to improve our roads in the East Midlands and across the country, which will help create jobs, grow the economy and reduce congestion. 
 
“We have allocated £24bn in funding to ensure we have a road network that is safe, reliable and well-maintained whilst implementing our clear plan to reach net zero.” 

National Highways Regional Delivery Director Anita Prashar said: 

“We are delighted with today’s announcement which means we have successfully achieved a major milestone on the project to improve the A38 round Derby for the thousands of people who use the route each day.  

“The A38 is an important route from Birmingham to the M1 at junction 28. Where it passes through Derby, long distance traffic interacts with a large volume of vehicles making local journeys resulting in congestion and delays. Our upgrade will change that. 

“This vital work will deliver much-needed additional capacity, providing better connectivity for people and businesses and safer journeys for everyone.  

“Whilst we still need to get final approval to start construction, we will begin to remobilise and reprogramme the project, which could take a minimum of 12 months.  

 “We look forward to continuing to work with our customers and local stakeholders as we take the project forward.”  

The A38 Derby Junctions scheme will reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability by upgrading the  

• A38/A5111 Kingsway roundabout; 
• A38/A52 Markeaton roundabout; and 
• A38/A61 Little Eaton roundabout 

The project will also help facilitate regional development and growth in Derby City and the surrounding area, improve safety for all road users and for those people living near the junctions and it will connect people by maintaining existing facilities or providing new means for cyclists, pedestrians and disabled users to cross the road.  

There is now a six-week period in which parties can lodge an intention to legally challenge the decision. 

To keep updated with the project’s progress please visit the dedicated scheme webpage. 

Notes to Editors

National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.

Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.

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