The A38 Derby Junctions and A46 Newark Bypass projects face an uncertain future after the UK Government announced a consultation on their possible cancellation. The review aims to find savings from the roads budget to contribute to increased defence spending.
Both schemes had been included in the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3) covering 2026 to 2031 but have not yet entered contract. The Department for Transport identified them as candidates for removal because they are less advanced than other projects in the current programme.
Grade separation and dualling
The A38 Derby Junctions scheme involves replacing three roundabouts—at Kingsway, Markeaton and Little Eaton—with grade-separated junctions. This design removes the need for traffic to stop or give way, aiming to ease congestion around Derby.
The A46 Newark Bypass would dual the single-carriageway section between Farndon and Winthorpe roundabouts. The bypass has secured development consent but is subject to contract uncertainty following the cancellation of the previous contractor’s agreement.
Linking infrastructure to local growth
East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward has submitted a formal response urging ministers to keep both projects in the programme. She points to planned housing developments of around 43,000 homes in Derby and the surrounding area by 2041.
Local modelling suggests that without the A38 improvements, congestion could prevent at least 7,000 of those homes from being built. Ward frames the schemes as essential enabling infrastructure, not merely congestion relief.
Major industries including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive and rail rely on the A38 for freight and workforce movement. The junction upgrades would reduce bottlenecks that currently affect these sectors.
Similarly, the A46 bypass supports housing, manufacturing and freight transport near Newark. Cancelling the projects risks putting local economic growth and planned developments under pressure.
Balancing cost and progress
Ward has called on Government to consider the years of public funds and development work already invested in both schemes. She warns against short-term savings that could lead to higher costs in the future if infrastructure needs have to be revisited.
“Years of work and public money have already gone into developing them,” she said. “We should not throw that away only to find that we need the same infrastructure in the future and have to start again.”
Next steps for RIS3
The Government’s current consultation will determine if the schemes remain in RIS3, proceed under alternative delivery models, or are removed entirely. Ward emphasises that delaying the projects is not the same as cancelling them.
She is open to discussions on adjustments to timing, scope and funding to keep the schemes viable. The decision will affect regional councils, developers, and the highways supply chain who rely on clear investment plans.
For now, no final decision has been made. The consultation marks a critical moment for the future of these major East Midlands road schemes and their role in supporting housing and economic growth.
