Mayor urges communities to back roads campaign

The Mayor of the East Midlands is calling on businesses, organisations and residents to back a campaign to protect funding for two major road schemes seen as vital to the region’s growth.

Claire Ward, the figurehead of the East Midlands Combined County Authority, has launched a campaign to save the A46 Newark Bypass and A38 Derby Junctions schemes, which are currently at risk of cancellation.

The projects, worth an estimated £900 million, were identified as key infrastructure priorities – but in June, the Government announced it was considering withdrawing funding for the schemes as part of wider plans to increase defence spending.

The A38 Derby Junctions scheme would deliver major improvements at Little Eaton, Markeaton and Kingsway roundabouts to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability on one of the region’s busiest routes.

Mayor Claire and partners are now encouraging people across the region to back the campaign.

She said: “The East Midlands has faced historic underinvestment in transport, and these schemes would support jobs, housing and economic growth not just in our region, but across the country.

“They are essential to our future success and to ensuring our region gets the investment it needs and deserves.”

To find out more about the campaign click here.