Earlier today, I held a meeting with Persimmon, National Highways, DfT and West Northamptonshire Council to ask them about progress on the Towcester Relief Road.

The Relief Road, excluding the A5 and A43 roundabouts is now far advanced and Persimmon consider it will be complete by the end of this year. With regards to R1 on the A5, Persimmon expect they will be able to complete the approvals and the roundabout itself by the end of this year. With regards to R5 on the A43, RPS, (Persimmon’s technical advisors,) are working closely with National Highways to obtain all of the necessary technical approvals. National Highways have assured me that getting the Towcester Relief Road opened is one of their top priorities in our area and a personal priority for the responsible National Highways manager.

I felt very positive about the commitment of all those attending, including the head of WNC Highways and the Cabinet Member, Cllr Phil Larratt.

National Highways also provided a helpful update on the A5. Following the public meeting that I held at the end of last year, they have commissioned a project to review proposals for traffic calming, and key stakeholders have been contacted as part of this process. They have also completed a detailed traffic model to optimise the design of the new road and this has been shared with WNC.

I have asked National Highways to look at what other measures could be introduced to help alleviate the problems with air quality, traffic congestion and the movement of HGVs along Watling Street. I have also asked WNC to look at what short term measures could be introduced to improve quality of life for residents, including where they could safely park vehicles. Cllr Phil Larratt advised me that the old Coop is due for demolition shortly 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.

Pressing for the completion of the Towcester Relief Road is one of my top priorities as your MP and I fully understand the concerns of residents and businesses about the ongoing traffic problems as well as the unwelcome proposals for new warehousing developments in our area. I will continue to push all parties involved in this project for a speedy completion and for any new development to be appropriate to the historic and unique nature of Towcester.