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Gail Roberts, who was compelled to relinquish her home to accommodate the expansion of the A38 dual-carriageway—a project now paused—has condemned the initiative as a “criminal waste of taxpayers’ money.” Roberts was the final resident remaining on Queensway in Derby after compulsory purchase orders were issued for 15 properties to clear the way for the road upgrade. However, in June, the government announced it would halt several road projects, including this one, to redirect funds toward increased defence spending.
The Department for Transport (DfT) explained the decision as part of efforts to save up to £700 million, noting that schemes such as the A38 Derby Junctions and the A46 Newark Bypass were still at early stages and had not yet entered contract negotiations. East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward labeled the government’s move as “completely unacceptable.” During a recent visit to Derbyshire, Prime Minister Andy Burnham reinforced his commitment by stating he would “not abandon the ambition” for the A38 project.
Roberts has a personal connection to the area, having moved into her four-bedroom property in 2011 and worked with her husband over two years to renovate it. The couple learned about the proposed road expansion in 2012 and received a compulsory purchase order nearly a decade later in 2021. Most of her neighbours accepted the buyouts and left, leaving Roberts alone in a now largely deserted street. She described the valuation negotiations as “absolutely infuriating,” ultimately agreeing to sell for £40,000 less than an independent survey had suggested. The stress of the process contributed to serious health issues; suffering from multiple sclerosis, Roberts collapsed in January 2023, temporarily losing leg function. Two neurologists attributed this deterioration partly to the stress related to the ordeal.
Since autumn 2023, Roberts and her husband have been staying temporarily in a bungalow in Ockbrook, Derbyshire, continuing their search for a more suitable permanent home. The suspension of the A38 project in June 2026 left Roberts feeling “appalled but not surprised,” criticizing the prolonged public consultations and indecision. She has found it difficult to see her former house boarded up and empty for years, lamenting that these architecturally unique homes sit vacant while homelessness continues. The Stop the A38 Expansion Group has urged that if the scheme is definitively canceled, the properties should be restored and put to use. Roberts expressed that, although she is still searching for a home accommodating her disability, she likely lived in the “best house” she ever will on Queensway. Meanwhile, National Highways confirmed that no final decision has been taken and that consultations about the future of the A38 project remain ongoing
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