Latest news
Scheme update – 30th October 2020
It has been a busy few months with all major elements of the A52 Wyvern Transport Improvement Scheme now complete.
The new footbridge between Meadow Lane and Wyvern opened on Thursday 29th October. Improved safety and accessibility were key factors at the design stage and the new bridge has ramped approaches on either side, a four metre wide deck and handrail lighting. Other improvements for pedestrians and cyclists include the new combined footway/cycleway on Wyvern Way and the signal controlled crossing points at both Derwent Parade and Stanier Way roundabouts.
Please see our news article for more about this key milestone for the project.
The additional lanes on each side of the A52 between the Wyvern and Raynesway junctions have helped ease congestion and traffic is flowing well in both directions. The re-aligned slip road from the A52 westbound has created a safer and smoother transition to the Wyvern.
Visitors to the Wyvern Retail Park are also benefiting from the improvements on Wyvern Way. These include the new traffic signals at the junctions of Pullman Road and The Sidings, making it easier to get in and out, particularly at peak times.
The changes, particularly the extra lanes on Wyvern Way, will enable the network to cope with increased traffic growth likely to be generated from future development in the area.
Ancillary works have also been completed, including the installation of an underground storage tank on land off Wyvern Way, to store excess surface water run-off in the event of a large storm.
Now that all the works on the road network are complete, work on the final elements of the project will be carried out over the next few months. This includes landscape works, with the tree planting season starting in November.
Council News - 29th October 2020
Meadow Lane footbridge to open to the public
Council News – 30th September 2020
A52 Wyvern transport improvement scheme nearing completion
Council News - 3rd July 2020
Scheme hits key milestone as new traffic signals switch on and slip road reopens
Council News - 30th May 2020
A52 footbridge safely lifted into place
The landscape on the A52 changed dramatically on Saturday 30 May as the brand new footbridge was successfully lifted into place by one of the UK’s largest cranes. You can now view our time lapse video of this key milestone online.
Council News - 26th May 2020
A52 Footbridge to be lifted this weekend
Council News - 30th April 2020
A52 Footbridge installation date
Council News - 9th April 2020
A52 footbridge installation postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic
Council News - 4th February 2020
Council News - 18th December 2019
New A52 footbridge arrives on site
Council News - 6th November 2019
Intensive Wyvern works to commence ahead of busy Christmas period
September 2019
Scheme progress
The new slip road from the A52 westbound, towards Derby city centre, was opened on Monday 9th September. Drivers can also now benefit from the additional lane on the A52 westbound carriageway from the Raynesway on-slip to Wyvern Way.
Council News - 5th September 2019
Council News - 24th May 2019
Work to commence on the next phase of A52 scheme
Council News - 18th April 2019
Work to start on the new Meadow Lane footbridge
Council News - 9th April 2019
Scheme update - revised costs and design review
Council News - 14th January 2019
December 2018
Council News - 21st December 2018
November 2018
During November road crossings for street lighting and drainage were installed on the A52. Work was also carried out to extend the concrete central reservation barrier towards Raynesway.
October 2018
Council News - 15 October 2018
July/August 2018
Work was carried out to widen the A52 Westbound in order to create a new third lane between Raynesway and the Wyvern Junction. This also involved diverting services in the verge. A new wall to retain the existing embankment was also constructed along this stretch of road.
March 2018
Work on the construction of a new concrete central reservation barrier on the A52 started in March 2018. This work was carried out in the daytime due to the complex process involved in the construction of the barrier.
December 2017
Work continued on the A52 Eastbound with nightly road closures, between Pentagon Island and Wyvern.
October/November 2017
Works on the main scheme commenced in October. Temporary safety measures were put in place on the A52 between Pentagon and Raynesway junctions along with reduced speed limits. To minimise congestion during construction, the first phase of works on the A52 took place overnight.
As part of the works, the width of the central reserve is being reduced and a new safety barrier installed. This will give more room to widen the carriageway. Additional lanes will be created in each direction between Wyvern and Raynesway. As well as increasing capacity, the additional lanes will reduce the need for drivers to change lanes.
The improvements on the A52 are part of the wider scheme, which also involves work on Wyvern Way, Stanier Way roundabout, Pullman Road, The Sidings, Derwent Parade junction and the footbridge across the A52 from Meadow Lane.
September 2017
Advanced works continued in preparation for the start of the main construction works. A site office was set up on lane off Wyvern Way.
July 2017
D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership confirmed that £6.72m funding had been awarded towards the A52 Wyvern Transport Improvement Scheme.
March 2017
Highways England confirmed a £2.6 million contribution from the Growth and Housing Fund towards the A52 Wyvern Transport Improvement Scheme.
February 2017
Work in advance of the main scheme started in February 2017. This work was carried out to prepare the site and so that utility companies, such as Severn Trent Water, could divert buried services that would be in the way of the proposed new layout.
Most of this advanced stage of the work was carried out off the highway on land at Wyvern Way, known as Derby Triangle.
The advanced works also included the removal of trees around the Wyvern and A52. The trees needed to be felled in advance of the nesting season and an ecologist was on site to supervise the works. As part of the main works new wildlife habitats will be created including new areas of tree planting.
14 February 2017 - Compulsory Purchase Order confirmed
Some objections to the CPO were sent to the National Transport Casework Team and we prepared for a Public Inquiry, which was due to be held in February 2017. All objections to the Order were withdrawn and the Public Inquiry was cancelled.
Agreements have been reached with landowners over access rights, and negotiations to purchase the land required are continuing. The CPO was confirmed by the Secretary of State for Transport on 14th February 2017 and it became operative on 3rd March 2017.
Council Cabinet approval
On 7th December 2016, Council Cabinet considered a A52 Wyvern Transport Improvement Scheme Compulsory Purchase Order 2016. The report gives an update on scheme funding and the project risks that exist. The recommendations were approved and we now have approval to commence the scheme.
July – Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (D2N2) Local Enterprise Partnership - Stage 1 approval
This was the first stage in a two-stage approval process to obtain £6.72 million from the Local Growth Fund towards the scheme. Stage 1 approval is to provide assurance that the project is progressing and all risks to delivery are being managed. The stage 1 application for the Scheme was approved in July 2016. This outlined the current status of the project and showed that the requirements had been met. The next step is to prepare the stage 2 application, which includes a full business case for submission in 2017. It is planned to submit this to D2N2 in summer 2017.
June - The Derby City Council (A52 Wyvern Transport Improvements) Compulsory Purchase Order 2016
Some of the land needed for the scheme is not currently owned by Derby City Council and we need to buy this land. We are discussing buying the land with the owners and hopefully this will be possible. However, in case there are any problems, we also made a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO).
April - Planning application
Planning permission was granted, subject to conditions, for:
A52 Wyvern Transport Improvements scheme - Realigned A52 Wyvern junction, replacement footbridge and associated embankments, highway, accommodation and earthworks.
To view the full planning application, please use the eplanning service quoting reference number 01/16/00087. More information about the planning process can be found on the Planning procedures and performance pages.
In July 2015, we held public consultation events where the project team talked about the scheme proposals and answered any questions. Exhibition boards showed the location of the scheme, existing issues, key features of the scheme and access and environmental considerations. A consultation questionnaire was available to be completed online or on paper. The consultation period ended on 7th August 2015. The Consultation Report explains how the consultation was undertaken and summarises the responses made by stakeholders.
During 2015, consultation took place with major stakeholders and the scheme was modified. Changes included further safety benefits, more pedestrian and cycle improvements and allowed for further development on Wyvern. The modified scheme was approved by Cabinet in June 2015. Two plans were presented, Appendix 3 shows the modified full scheme, including provision for development traffic generated by the Derby Triangle development. Appendix 4 shows the modified scheme for the A52 scheme only.
A report, along with a summary of the feasibility study, was considered by Council Cabinet in February 2014. Cabinet approved the preferred option which includes modification and improvements based on existing levels.
In the early stages of scheme development, we looked at a range of options to come up with the best scheme to help reduce collisions, improve traffic flow and accessibility. Significant changes were ruled out due to the amount of funding available and potential environmental impacts.