RIS2 A38 Expansion Derby

Who are we? 

We started protesting against the planned expansion of the A38 through Derby in 2019 as part of Extinction Rebellion. This soon became a partnership of various environmental groups and local residents, all against the RIS2 (Road Investment Strategy) plans, which also includes the planned tunnel at the site of Stonehenge.

One of our ‘StopA38 Expansion’ group was a gardener with Derby City Council at the time the A38 was expanded to a dual carriageway and helped to plant the trees alongside, as mitigation. These same trees are now due to be felled, around 100,000 altogether in the area, including one known as ‘Middle Oak’ nearly 300 years old. A young tree absorbs around 5.9KG CO2 per year, while a ten-year-old tree absorbs almost 22KG per year. All of this during a climate crisis!

The work will increase already poor air quality in the city, plus CO2 emissions and loss of wildlife habitats, all for the short periods of the day when the road is congested! So we have begun a legal challenge leading hopefully towards a judicial review, our legal representatives feel we have a good chance of it being heard. 

Our Crowd Justice funder for the legal challenge is https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/help-us-stop-the-a38-expansion/ 

Why are we protesting?

Many of you will be aware of the RIS2 road expansion scheme, which wants to expand roads at a time of climate crisis. This includes the proposed tunnel beneath Stonehenge, not only the stones themselves but all the many burial places in the surrounding land. This expansion seeks to destroy mature trees and parkland in Derby, enjoyed for many, many years by generations of families, friends, and lovers, who have sat beneath these trees, soon to be gone and memories with them.

We can all do something, whether locally or globally to help stop plans such as this, now is the time to stand up and say no!

Please visit our website https://www.a38derbychaos.org  if you would like to know more. We also have an active Facebook page.

This is not a time to give up on OUR land