Unique chance for public to have say on £220 million improvements to Derby’s busiest junctions
Derby residents are being asked to help shape £220 million plans to improve three busy junctions on the A38.
The Highways Agency is holding a six-week public consultation on proposals to create flyovers or underpasses to replace the current Markeaton, Little Eaton and Kingsway roundabouts.
The public can find out more about the plans, and give their views, at a special public exhibition in Derby on February 6 and 7. Mark Hartharn, project manager for the Highways Agency, explained:
This is a real chance for the public to shape our plans to cut congestion and improve journeys along the A38.
Over the next few years, Derby is set to see rapid increases in housing, employment, and associated traffic. Our new plans offer a long-term solution to help cut congestion, boost the economy and deliver smoother, better journeys for drivers – and we really want local people to be heavily involved in deciding how we take this forward.
Plans for flyovers along the dual carriageway section of the A38 in Derby were first mooted in the 1970s – but the designs were changed to roundabouts when construction started, in part because of concerns about the visual effect of the structures on local open spaces.
Government traffic studies in 2002 and 2003 identified the need for interim improvements to cut congestion on the A38 - but recommended larger-scale improvements in the long term.
The new Highways Agency proposals include creating underpasses at Markeaton and Kingsway – to allow local drivers through the junctions without being affected by traffic heading for the M1 – and a new flyover at Little Eaton.
Mark Hartharn added:
Short-term forecasts show there could be an extra 8,000 to 10,000 vehicles per day on the A38 over the next ten years, so it’s important we ensure the road network can cope.
By creating new junctions on the A38, we will help improve journey time reliability for road users, increase the capacity of the road to improve traffic flow, and improve overall safety for road users, local drivers and pedestrians.
On top of these benefits, this scheme will help to support the economy – by speeding up journeys and boosting traffic flow – while helping Derby to meet growing demands on its infrastructure over the next two decades.
The public consultation on the A38 Derby Junctions scheme will run from February 2 to March 13, 2015.
The exhibition will be held at the Enterprise Centre, Bridge Street, Derby (DE1 3LD) on February 6 from noon to 8pm, and on February 7 from 10am to 4pm.
On current plans, the Agency hopes to announce a preferred option for the scheme by July 2016.
For more information about the proposals, visit the Highways Agency’s website.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.