Gail Roberts described the indefinite shelving of the A38 road expansion project as a "criminal waste of taxpayers' money" and expressed dismay at the prolonged uncertainty.
In autumn 2023, Roberts and her husband temporarily relocated to a bungalow in Ockbrook, Derbyshire, while awaiting the progress of the A38 scheme, which had necessitated the acquisition of their former home on Queensway. The project was officially put on hold in late June 2026, a decision attributed to the reallocation of funds for new defense plans.
Roberts conveyed her "appalled but not surprised" reaction to the news, noting her prior skepticism due to the extensive and ongoing public consultations. "I think the indecision is disgusting. How long can it go on like this?" she stated.
The disruption has been personally taxing for Roberts, who found it "painful" to see her former residence boarded up for the past three years. For months, she avoided driving through Derby to bypass the street where her house was located. She observed that the architecturally unique houses, acquired for the project, now stand empty.
"There's so many homeless people. If they're going to leave them alone, why don't they do something with them?" Roberts questioned.
The Stop the A38 Expansion Group has advocated for the restoration and reuse of the properties should the scheme be formally abandoned. Roberts, meanwhile, continues her search for a new home that accommodates her specific disability needs, acknowledging that she may have already lived in the "best house" she will ever own.
National Highways has indicated that the potential cancellation of the A38 scheme remains under consultation, with no final decision yet made. An update is expected to be provided in due course.