Contract to improve A38 in city valued at £600m

A contract for a major project to increase the capacity of the A38 in Derby has an estimated value of £600m, according to new documents published on a government website.

The multi-million pound scheme to create flyovers and underpasses at the Little Eaton, Markeaton and Kingsway roundabouts was approved by the government in July.

When the latest version of the plans was put forward in 2020, it was budgeted at £250m.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "Schemes of this size and complexity can incur increased costs over time, particularly when factoring in delays due to legal challenges and high levels of inflation."

A market engagement notice published on behalf of National Highways states the estimated contract for the scheme would begin in January 2028 and is set to end in January 2038.

The scheme is designed to cut congestion on this stretch of the A38, where local traffic meets vehicles travelling between Birmingham and the M1.

It will use a series of flyovers and underpasses to allow traffic to flow more freely.

Public consultation on how to improve the road started in 2001, but has been repeatedly paused, leading to the plans being redesigned and then challenged in court by campaigners.

According to National Highways, construction of the scheme is expected to last four years, and once complete, contractors would remain responsible for landscape aftercare.

The body added it was hoped a contractor would be appointed 18 months before work starts.

A spokesperson for National Highways added: "We are working closely with the Department for Transport to progress this scheme and identify the most cost-effective and efficient delivery timeline for the A38 Derby Junctions project.

"Further updates will be provided following confirmation of the Government's Road Investment Strategy."

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