Stop the A38 Expansion - Save Derby's Trees and Green Spaces

18/08/2026

Pressure is building on Mayor Claire Ward and other representatives to put people and planet before short-term profit.

The economic case for expansion has collapsed. The environmental case never existed. We are already experiencing the horrific impacts of fossil fuel expansion and ecological loss, with the situation set to worsen in the coming years.

By backing the A38 scheme, Mayor Ward and others in power are living in a world that no longer exists.

It's beyond time to begin building a visionary, sustainable Derby.

🗣 Join us by sending a letter to Mayor Ward https://actionnetwork.org/letters/a38-expansion-a-harmful-road-scheme-with-a-collapsing-economic-case-write-to-decision-makers?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAadA2ePNU2HEW6MdgTn39PtXH7ls9p7HKQdeiED6p9GwiceGt3s4HZ_MO__oGA_aem_STWwcwnSeai9vLKmJArDzw

13/08/2026

Since 2019 we have been campaigning to prevent harm wrought by the proposed A38 expansion to human health, species loss, and our environment. Sadly, we couldn't prevent the harm National Highways was already inflicting on residents along the A38 whose homes were marked for demolition.

This is the immediate human cost of road schemes which are still in the planning stages.

Clare Wood, quoted by the BBC speaking on behalf of the campaign, said: "We've always opposed the Compulsory Purchase Order of people's homes and we have total sympathy for those who were bought out and had no choice but to move against their wishes.

"Many of the homes also had established gardens which will be completely overgrown now.

"If the new road scheme is cancelled, those houses could be lived in again."

Link to the article in our bio. Find out more at a38derbychaos.org

06/08/2026

Not exactly a good deal, eh?

❌️ Induced demand means more cars will eventually fill larger roads producing yet more congestion.

❌️ CO2 emissions will inevitably increase. If reductions from traffic flow were likely to negate the impact of the scheme NHL would be loudly broadcasting this to fight off legal challenges. But they aren't.

❌️ The claimed economic benefits from journey saving times are exaggerated by possibly more than 50%. Ultimately the cost of the devastation wrought by climate collapse will vastly outweigh any short-term benefits.

❌️ Young trees cannot replace the function of mature trees. A young tree absorbs about 5.9KG CO2 per year, while a 10 year old tree absorbs 22KG.

❌️ The benefit-cost ratio has fallen from 2.6 to 1.0 while costs have tripled to £646m+. This is an outdated scheme that will throw away a huge amount of money better spent on sustainable alternatives and supporting the people of Derby through a chronic cost-of-greed crisis.

Find out more at a38derbychaos.org and sign up to our newsletter via the link in our bio.

30/07/2026

⁉️ Many people, including some Derby City Councillors falsely believe CO2 emissions will reduce if traffic flow improves.

This confusion has likely occurred because improving traffic flow can temporarily lower concentrations of NO2 where vehicles currently idle.

But if roads are expanded to make traffic move faster, it triggers a phenomenon known as induced demand. Faster, freer-flowing roads make driving more convenient. This encourages more people to choose driving over public transit, walking, or cycling. Especially when these sustainable alternatives aren't catered for and become more dangerous, challenging, and expensive to choose. Over time, the newly optimised roads attract a high volume of cars, erasing any temporary benefits and permanently increasing CO2 and NO2 emissions.

🚦 Evidence clearly shows that the only solution to rising emissions is having fewer internal combustion engines on the roads and radically rethinking how we travel.

*Sources cited on a38derbychaos.org in the Alternatives Facts page and https://www.a38derbychaos.org/news/factcheck-a38-expansion-will-increase-co2-emissions-and-wont-solve-air-pollution

17/07/2026

It's not over yet!

Government may decide to axe the A38 scheme in favour of military spending but until the blade has officially fallen, the fight goes on.

The economic case for expansion has collapsed and our representatives can no longer justify wasting hundreds of millions on a bigger road. The money should instead be redirected towards improving sustainable transport and making walking and cycling safer and more enjoyable for all ages.

If you haven't yet sent a letter to decision-makers demanding for the scheme to be cancelled please do so via the link in our bio.

👉 Find out more about why this project isn't in Derby's interest via a38derbychaos.org

13/07/2026

Fixed it for you, Mayor Ward.

A new study reports that there were 2,700 excess deaths due to extreme heat across May and June with scientists estimating that the climate crisis added between 3-4°C to maximum temperatures.

This is just the beginning of an unimaginable crisis that will greatly impact all of us. A crisis caused by an addiction to fossil fuels and reckless commitments to unjustifiable projects like the A38 expansion.

Politicians should be angry and motivated to act. But not because carbon projects may be cancelled. They should be angry that people are already needlessly dying, and government focuses on contributing to the climate crisis instead of implementing solutions to mitigate for it.

The people of Derby and the East Midlands need protection from climate breakdown. They need sustainable transport investment, more tree cover, and heat-proof homes.

We urge Mayor Ward and all politicians to redirect their anger and fight the end to all fossil fuel projects.

Find out more about the campaign at a38derbychaos.org

03/07/2026

The leader of Derby City Council is calling for a new public consultation on the A38 scheme but why aren't we busy planning for a modal shift to sustainable public transport instead?

She says the project remains "divisive" in the city.

Councillor Nadine Peatfield, the leader of Derby City Council, has questioned if the recently shelved A38 scheme was still the right plan 25 years on from its inception.

Read more: https://bbc.in/4eXHxj7

02/07/2026

Adrian Howlett speaks to BBC Radio Derby on behalf of the campaign about the possibility of the scheme being cancelled.

👉 Read our full statement via the link in our bio

30/06/2026

BREAKING: The Government has confirmed it will consult on cancelling the A38 Derby Junctions scheme.

This over £600m road scheme would have felled nearly 12 hectares of trees, increased pollution and carbon emissions, increased traffic, worsened congestion on local roads, and caused years of construction disruption - all justified by an economic case that has now collapsed. https://www.a38derbychaos.org/key-facts-on-the-a38-expansion

We've campaigned against this pointless, outdated and harmful road scheme since 2019.

But it's not over. The East Midlands Labour Mayor Mayor of the East Midlands (who claims to care about sustainable transport and protecting the environment) wants a road scheme that will destroy nature, harm public health and increase traffic and pollution.

Swipe to see why this scheme should be scrapped for good 👉

✍️ Take action: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/a38-expansion-a-harmful-road-scheme-with-a-collapsing-economic-case-write-to-decision-makers

(Link in bio too)

25/06/2026

The UK faces a growing climate and nature emergency. Yet most people have never been fully briefed on what it means for our lives, our economy and our future. A new film from the National Emergency Briefing (NEB) sets out the risks facing the nation and the credible, positive responses available, in a clear and accessible account designed for screenings in communities across the UK.

The film will be shown FREE of charge at the Quad in Derby on Sunday, 28 June, at 18:30 followed by a discussion.

This is being organised by Derby Climate Coalition and the Quad, with significant support from Derby City Council.

The MP, Jonathan Davies, will attend. Book tickets here https://www.derbyquad.co.uk/events/emergencybriefing/?link_id=5&can_id=152861bca087557da05e23c5b5705678&source=email-red-heat-warning-the-a38-and-a-national-emergency-briefing-film-screening&email_referrer=&email_subject=red-heat-warning-the-a38-and-a-national-emergency-briefing-film-screening&&

Chester Green Community Centre in Derby will also screen the film on 16/07/2026 at 18:30.