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If you are writing to claim the A38 expansion will reduce pollution overall and be good for the environment due to traffic flow, this is false. Please read the
“Key Facts” page in the header and don’t waste our time.

It's a common misconception that improving traffic flow will always lessen CO2 emissions and improve air quality. It may be the case with some city junctions where some road layout and traffic light changes can improve flow and therefore air quality, but not with the A38 scheme.

The construction alone is 131,000 tons of CO2. Then the induced traffic from the extra road capacity will increase CO2 emissions further. The numbers in National Highways own planning documents state.

This is also why the first legal challenge was successful, because the scheme will lead to an increase in CO2 emissions.

If the CO2 reductions from traffic flow were to negate the construction and induced traffic, National Highways would be broadcasting this loudly to fight off legal challenges.

National Highways documents show minimal NO2 (nitrous oxide) concentration reductions in some areas with increases in others from predicted traffic growth and road realignment. Markeaton Roundabout pollution levels will increase and the Royal School of the Deaf residents will be exposed to higher levels of pollution.

Even in areas where NO2 levels decrease slightly, these are still not in line with the latest World Health Organisation recommended safe air quality levels (which the UK Government chose not make legally binding targets).

Derby City Council admits in their Air Quality Action Plan that the A38 road works will make air pollution worse in the city during construction due to diverted traffic.

That is four years of increased exposure to air pollution that in the councils’ own words

“…is associated with a number of adverse health impacts. It is recognised as a contributing factor in the onset of heart disease and cancer. Additionally, air pollution particularly affects the most vulnerable in society: children and older people, and those with heart and lung conditions. “