The Department for Transport has opened its engagement process for their next Road Investment Strategies (RIS3) process, and is keen to hear the views of road users on where investment is needed the most.

National Highways (formerly Highways England,) has launched an online feedback tool as part of the process. As well as capturing public feedback the database will be used to record engagement with local government and transport authorities, as well as other interested parties.

Input from a wide range of stakeholders will be used to inform recommendations and investment plans going forward for the RIS3 2025 - 2030 strategy. National Highways wants to know where you regularly experience congestion or safety concerns, or where you see opportunities for better facilities. The online tool is open for feedback until 30 November 2021.

Our local area will continue to experience the impacts of traffic works and investment over the coming years. The Towcester Relief Road continues to progress, and I am delighted that Baroness Vere, Roads Minister at the Department for Transport recently confirmed that signage to the relief road will draw traffic away from the centre of Towcester, and the relief road itself will be adjusted to ensure it can cope with greater traffic movements whilst remaining within the current planning consent as well as a complementary programme of traffic calming (such as raised tables, pedestrian crossings) and a ‘street scape environment’ to be delivered in Towcester. This includes imposing a weight restriction, with through traffic signed along the relief road.

The Farthinghoe Bypass is a project on which I will continue to press the Department of Transport for support and investment, and I encourage local residents to submit their views about the bypass as part of this online feedback tool. West Northants authority has confirmed that an update paper regarding the Farthinghoe Bypass was brought to their September 2021 Cabinet meeting, providing the results of the latest consultation and the work proposed to progress this scheme with a view to developing an application for the Levelling Up Fund. The highways team are also considering shorter term options to help alleviate traffic issues in the village.

You can submit your views here: https://routestrategies.highwaysengland.co.uk