The East Midlands Mayor says she “doesn’t know” if major upgrades to the A38 will ever happen at all, as the estimated £600m project enters a period of greater uncertainty.
Claire Ward also did not state with certainty whether the people of Derby would have a say on it at all.
Labour Mayor Ms Ward has been left furious after the Government announced that major road improvement projects in Derby and Nottinghamshire could be scrapped in favour of increased defence spending.
Earlier this year, the Government announced that it was committed to spending millions to improve roads. The A38 – one of Derby’s busiest roads – was listed as one of the carriageways to be upgraded to ease congestion after years of legal challenges and twists and turns.
The work would include the construction of flyovers and underpasses, as well as widening the road from four lanes (two in each direction) to six.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday (30 June) that an additional £15 billion would be invested to boost the UK’s defence and armed forces.
However, he warned that some capital projects, such as road and energy investments, “will no longer go ahead as planned”.
The Treasury said there could be the “potential cancellation of the A38 Derby Junctions and A46 Newark Bypass schemes, both of which are yet to enter contract and are not as far along as other road schemes.”
Regional Mayor Claire Ward reacted to the developments, saying she had not been consulted on any possible cancellation and calling it “completely unacceptable”.
Ms Ward said that defence spending was vital at a time when the world is “becoming unstable” and sacrifices need to be made.
However, she said she would be “taking the case” to the Government, which could have a new Prime Minister later this month.
She said: “There are clearly some controversies around the A38 – I absolutely recognise that. This is a national scheme. But my big issue is that we’ve not had an opportunity to engage.
“This is an issue, and that’s why I’m taking it to the Government.”
The Mayor was asked whether the A38 upgrades would ever happen if they were scrapped, and whether it was a case of now or never.
She replied: “I don’t know. What I will say is that we will continue to put investment into Derby and across this region to support growth and to look at alternatives in the way people travel across our region.
“Those are the challenges we will continue to face.”
Derby City Council leader Nadine Peatfield (Labour) has called for a new public consultation on the matter.
She said: “We agree that it’s time for the public to have another say. It has been 25 years since the original consultation, and there have been significant changes during that time. It is therefore right that residents have the chance to have their views heard again.”
However, Ms Ward could not fully confirm whether residents would have a say.
When asked whether the people of Derby would have a say, the Mayor added: “That’s the conversation we need to have. I’m elected to represent the views of people across the region and to make decisions that are in the interests of the region.”
By Nigel Slater, Local Democracy Reporter