The Prime Minister was pressed on the importance of a new road to bypass Staveley and Brimington and link the M1 and the North of Chesterfield by Labour MP Toby Perkins at this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.
In the weekly session, Chesterfield MP, stressed that by giving the go-ahead to the Chesterfield Staveley regeneration route, an opportunity to bring forward 1,500 houses and 5,700 jobs on land that was previously coalmining and brownfield industrial land.
In reply, it was clear that the PM was well briefed on the scheme, replying: “I thank my honourable friend for that question; I know that he is working on this scheme. As he knows, land investigation works are currently taking place to help establish the final costs. The Roads Minister is looking closely at the scheme, alongside about 40 others. We will prioritise schemes that deliver faster journeys, and allow new homes and jobs.”
The Staveley Bypass is a £166m project to build a 3.7-mile road to cut congestion, improve air quality, and unlock the development of thousands of homes and new jobs. The project was put in jeopardy when the former Tory-leadership at Derbyshire County Council paused work in 2023.
Toby Perkins and Louise Jones MP, together with Borough Councillors, have been pushing for the project to be re-convened. Last March, the Labour East Midlands Mayor, Claire Ward, provided new funding of £2.5m from the East Midlands Combined County Authority for crucial ground investigations to be completed, and to provide accurate costing for the final bid to the Government. Delays by the now Reform-run County Council meant that the ground investigations did not start until November.
Toby Perkins said, “We could have had a decision from Government on the bypass a long time ago if Derbyshire County Council under first the Conservatives, and then Reform, did not create unnecessary delays. I have remained worried that by delaying the ground investigation works it has made it easier for funds to be allocated to bids that are already finalised. I will be meeting with the Roads Minster, Simon Lightwood MP, and will be reiterating the strategic and economic importance of the bypass and urging him to allocate those funds to us just as soon as the final investigation works are completed.”
You can watch Toby’s question to the Prime Minister at: