Response to National Highways A5 consultation

Dear Sir/Madam,

I write in my capacity as Member of Parliament for South Northamptonshire in response to this consultation and on behalf of my constituents who have, for many years, expressed their concerns about the A5/Watling Street in Towcester.

I hear with increasing frequency from constituents who are day in, day out deeply worried about road safety, congestion, air and noise quality and parking on the A5.

It comes as no surprise that the A5 is a busy, and over-used road. Its existing capacity is a real concern, and the threat of proposed new developments from the large number of planning applications will only exacerbate the existing problems.

The Towcester Relief Road will help to relieve longstanding issues for residents, and whilst Persimmon are committed to delivering the relief road by spring 2023, this road is not designed to facilitate future development in the area. It is clear that further action is needed to make improvements to the A5.

I welcome this consultation and the opportunity to comment on the proposals. The issues listed on page 5 of the document are ones that residents of Towcester are most concerned about and I am pleased that they are being addressed.

My comments are as follows:

Air quality: The A5, particularly Watling Street, is constantly at a standstill with traffic. Air quality is poor, and residents have been advised by West Northamptonshire Council to keep their windows closed for their own health. Clarity is required on how the measures proposed by National Highways will help improve air quality in the area.

Congestion and traffic: It is clear that continued use of the A5 Watling Street by HGVs would cause detrimental, irreversible damage to our area. Whilst many residents will agree with your assessment of enforcing “an environmental weight restriction on 7.5t vehicles between the new roundabout at Cowpastures Lane through Towcester town centre to Old Tiffield Road,” greater clarity is required on your suggestion for “continuing to allow large vehicles to have access to Old Tiffield Road and the retail park beyond.” What is the weight and size of ‘large vehicles’?

It is vital that all parties (National Highways, Persimmon, West Northamptonshire Council, HS2 and utility companies) work proactively to inform each other ahead of time when any improvement works will be taking place in order to minimise the impact of disruption on constituents and businesses.

I would also like to flag that the cross roads in the centre of Towcester could become a traffic problem hotspot if the proposal to narrow the lanes goes ahead. The lanes at this cross roads have only recently been widened and many residents may be concerned at the impact on through traffic if it was narrowed again, particularly the left turn lane from the Brackley road towards the A43.

Speed restrictions: Many residents will agree with the proposals to reduce the speed from 40mph to 30mph along the A5 between the new roundabout at Cowpastures Lane and Marlow Road, and to reduce speed from 30mph to 20mph along the A5 from Marlow Road to Towcester Police Station. What will be its impact on reducing traffic congestion and any improvement to air quality? I would ask that any traffic modelling that has or will take place be made publicly available.

Public space improvements: Any measures should respect and enhance the local environment, particularly the historic nature of Towcester and its surrounding villages. Any seating areas and planting features should be in keeping with the existing architecture and landscaping.

Active travel: Many residents will agree with the active travel suggestions made in this document, particularly the installation of pedestrian crossing points, improvements to existing crossing points, new traffic signals and improvements to surface texture.

Parking: I would be grateful for further discussions with West Northamptonshire Council to look at additional short term parking measures that can help to improve quality of life for residents. At a Towcester Relief Road update meeting in April 2022, I was advised that space behind the old Coop is due for demolition and that this will facilitate an extension to the car park behind the Sponne Arcade. This would provide welcome extra car parking capacity for residents close to and on Watling Street.

Many residents do not believe that restricting parking on the market square is a viable option - this will deter individuals from supporting shops in this area as they will not have somewhere close to park their vehicle. There will be differing views on this point, and I urge NH to look carefully at all responses.

Similarly, many residents may take the view that Option C (park and ride) will not be adequately utilised by residents or visitors. Further clarity should be given to its capacity and cost, as well as to the means by which drivers will be encouraged to use the park and ride (will this be penalties or incentives?) This Option could be developed with consideration made, for example, for a 16 seater electric mini bus that could collect passengers in one park and ride location for the town centre, and drop off at another park ride. It could be used as a circular bus route to neighbouring villages, say within a 3 mile radius of Towcester, and provide a collection and drop off service to the town. In addition I would like to see a bike rent or borrowing scheme located at any potential park and ride option so that visitors can choose to park and then collect a bike to ride into town.

Concerns over traffic congestion in and around Towcester is one of the top local issues that constituents write to me about. The volume of cases has increased in recent years as residents become even more concerned about the condition and use of the A5, and how badly needed the relief road is. I am personally working hard to support my constituents in their calls for construction on the relief road to continue at pace, and for National Highways and other stakeholders to rapidly address the improvements needed on the A5. I believe this consultation on the A5 should also prioritise the completion and opening of the relief road as soon as possible.

Due to the urgency of this project and the anticipated opening date of the relief road, I would like to know, therefore, if the timeframe of business case funding in autumn 2023 and construction in late 2024 to early 2025 can be expedited. I would like to see the improvements to the town carried out concurrently with the relief road opening - due in early 2024.

In summary, whilst I welcome this consultation and the chance to share the views of my constituents, I would like to reiterate and urge National Highways to work at pace to deliver these improvements for the benefit of my constituents and visitors to the local area.

Please take this letter into consideration in the consultation on future plans. I will also be making a copy of this response publicly available on my website and social media.

With best wishes,

Rt Hon. Dame Andrea Leadsom DBE MP