Progress report

The Development Consent Order (DCO) for our proposals for the A38 Derby Junctions was formally closed by the Planning Inspectorate on 8 July 2020. You can view our planning application on the Planning Inspectorate’s website. As you may know, a DCO is a special type of planning application which is needed for a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP).

During the examination period, local authorities, statutory consultees and other interested parties took part in the process and their queries, concerns and views were raised with Highways England and the Planning Inspectorate, through written submissions and at a number of hearings, including an extended period for Virtual Hearings and written submissions. All relevant project documentation, including the written submissions and recordings of the hearings can be found on the Planning Inspectorate website.

Throughout the examination period, the Inspectors have considered all representations made. The Inspectors have engaged with the Highways England project team and interested parties on a range of broad and specific aspects of the scheme. These include compulsory acquisition, traffic and transport, land use, social and economic impact, the environment including Climate Change.

Due to Covid-19, our DCO application documents are no longer available to view at deposit points. For more information on these hearings, the examination of the Application and full timetable (and any amendments to it), including how and when to register to speak at the hearings and how and when to make written submissions, please contact the Planning Inspectorate using the details below, or visit the Planning Inspectorate's website where procedural decisions and notices of hearings are available to download.

Copies of the Application documents, including the draft Development Consent Order, the compulsory acquisition information (including the Land Plans, Book of Reference, Funding Statement and Statement of Reasons) and the Environmental Statement can be viewed and downloaded online at the Planning Inspectorate’s project website. Please contact us on 0300 123 5000 or email A38derbyjunctions@highwaysengland.co.uk if you have difficulty accessing the documents.

What's next?

The Planning Inspectorate (acting on behalf of the Secretary of State) will examine the information submitted in the DCO process and then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Transport, who will decide on whether or not the scheme will go ahead.

In the meantime, we‘re continuing to carry out ground investigation works at Kingsway, Markeaton and Little Eaton over the coming months. This important work will input into the detailed design of the scheme in readiness for the Development Consent Order decision.

All our sites have strict safeguarding measures, in line with Public Health England guidance, to prevent the spread of COVID19 and none of our sites are open to the public, closely monitored and the situation is kept under constant review.

Timeline

Why we need this scheme

The A38 is an important route from Birmingham to Derby and through to the M1 at junction 28. Where it passes through Derby, long distance traffic interacts with a large volume of vehicles making local journeys. These interactions create congestion and delays at the following 3 existing roundabout junctions to the west and north of Derby city centre:

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

Highways England is committed to resolving these issues. After delivering improvement schemes at Little Eaton and Markeaton roundabouts in 2014/2015 to reduce congestion in the short term, we have been developing longer term plans to resolve the traffic problems more permanently.

The scheme's objectives

The Government’s strategic vision for the road network is to make journeys better in the Midlands by operating, maintaining and improving major A roads and motorways, through a programme of investment to ensure that the region’s roads are fit for now and the future. The specific objectives of the A38 Derby Junctions scheme are to:

• reduce congestion and improve the reliability of journey times between Birmingham, Derby and the M1
• help facilitate regional development and growth in Derby City and its surrounding
• improve safety for all road users, and for those people living near the junctions
• connect people by maintaining existing facilities (eg crossings and ramps etc) or providing new means for cyclists, pedestrians and disabled users to cross the road

Aims

• reduce congestion
• increase capacity
• improve journey time reliability
• improve road safety
• support local regeneration and development plans

Guidance for people whose property may be affected by one of our schemes

Large scale or major public works alongside or close to a property can reduce its value, making it hard to sell at market rate.

We’ve produced the following documents which help you understand what you can do if you believe your house is impacted by major trunk road proposals or improvements:

• Your property and Highways England road proposals
• A guide to Part I claims
• Your property and compulsory purchase
• Your property and discretionary purchase
• Your property and blight

Roadworks and Events for England

The latest incident information for England's motorway and trunk routes provided by Highways England