Council accused of ‘climate hypocrisy’ as major A38 decision looms
FLYOVER AND UNDERPASSES PLANNED
DERBY City Council has been accused of “climate hypocrisy” over the creation of its new Market Place forest and its stance on controversial and “pointless” A38 expansion plans.
A decision by the Government on the go-ahead for the £250 million plans, which could see A38 significantly change in Derby, is still to be made.
The scheme would see the Little Eaton, Markeaton and Kingsway traffic islands on the road overhauled with a flyover and underpasses in a move to improve the city’s traffic network.
It is also understood the improved road would open up the west of Derby to potentially thousands of new homes.
Construction will take up to four years with two underpasses and a flyover. If given the go-ahead the transformational road project by National Highways is expected to be the biggest seen in Derby in a generation.
The plans were dealt a blow last year when a consent order was quashed by the High Court following a successful crowdfunder legal challenge by campaigners over the cumulative impacts of carbon emissions.
Campaigners against the A38 expansion believe the project would be an environmental disaster for Derby and the global fight to stop catastrophic climate change. They say official documents show the construction of the project would produce 131,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from construction, increase emissions from the additional traffic and thousands of trees will be cut down in the city as a result – including a nearly 300-year oak tree near Markeaton Park.
These concerns were echoed further recently when “Stop the A38 Expansion” campaigner Mia Bains took to the city centre to renew her protest. She held out a banner containing a climate protest message towards the city council and wrote the same words on the Market Place waterfall, next to the new forest which was installed a month ago.
The banner said: “Derby City Council spent £163,000 on these trees (Forest For The Future) to raise awareness about climate change...but supports cutting down thousands of trees for the pointless and polluting £250 million A38 expansion. The road expansion will also emit 131,000 tons of carbon from the four-year construction.”
The words “climate hypocrisy” were written underneath the message.
Derby City Council has revealed in a statement it had raised concerns to National Highways about the potential cutting of trees – suggesting it did not support that element. But the council stressed it also had considered the local economic impacts of the scheme.
A council spokesperson said: “The A38 Junctions project is being undertaken by National Highways and is designed to reduce congestion and improve both local and long distance journeys. The A38 is not exclusively used by wet fuel vehicles and is also used by buses, cycles, hybrid and electric vehicles. We also have to consider the local economic impact of the A38 improvements and the benefits for residents and business locally and further afield.
“As an organisation, we raised concerns with National Highways about the potential impacts of this scheme including the removal of historically significant trees. However, like others we are just consultees in the process. Anyone wishing to share their views and thoughts about the A38 Junctions project should contact National Highways.
“The Forest for the Future is in place until the end of August and is there to help spark conversations about what individuals can do to lower their own carbon footprint as well as offering a green space in the heart of the city. The forest has been widely welcomed and local environmental groups recently held nine days of events in the space to engage with local residents about climate change and reducing our individual impacts.
“We’re extremely proud of the forest, and the work that’s gone into it. It’s been fantastic to see so many people enjoy it over the last few weeks. When planted, the trees from the forest will have a lifespan of some 100 years, which we feel is an excellent investment.”
It is not clear when an announcement will be made on the A38 expansion project. A decision was expected this summer but things appear to have gone quiet, for now at least.
The Department for Transport has been asked when a decision is set to be made. But a Government spokesperson said it cannot comment on live development consent orders.
National Highways said it still believes the A38 expansion is needed and is prepared to deliver the project.