When I visited Farthinghoe back in February, I was not surprised by the strength of feeling from residents about the need for a bypass for the village.

Whilst there is some disagreement over the route of the road, a formal consultation was held at the end of 2015 and the northern route was preferred – the overwhelming majority of people I spoke with were clear that the bypass is long overdue and that the volume of traffic along the A422 through the centre of Farthinghoe is unsustainable. This has been reflected in the many emails and letters I have received since I became an MP, and I know that the Parish Council is doing a fantastic job in recent months to galvanise support for the bypass campaign. I understand that a petition is underway, and I look forward to receiving this in due course.

I have called a meeting with representatives from Northamptonshire County Council, our local enterprise partnership (SEMLEP), and the new sub-national transport body England’s Economic Heartland Strategic Alliance to discuss how we can fund the design and build of the road. The A422 has been identified as part of the Government’s new Major Road Network – economically critical local authority major roads that sit below the Strategic Road Network of motorways and trunk A roads – and I want these three bodies to work together to submit a bid for funding through the MRN for the bypass. We are meeting at the start of May, and I will update as soon as possible on our next steps.

Separately, I have written to the major road freight haulage associations to seek their support for a bypass, and I am pleased that three have pledged their commitment to work constructively with us to secure the new road. I am pleased that the bypass campaign organised by the community is bringing together residents and businesses to seek a solution to the current situation.

As ever, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about the Farthinghoe Bypass.