A43 bypass for Northamptonshire gets council’s backing

The section of road would open up land for the urban extension of Northampton, and form part of plans to turn the A43 into a dual carriageway all the way to Northampton.

DDC’s planning committee were presented with the plans on Wednesday night.

Members of the committee generally approved of the plans, but some voiced issues that they believed needed looking at.

Cllr Daniel Cribbin said: “At the moment the current roundabout onto Overstone Road has a significant S-bend and this slows traffic on a road where speed is an issue – if the speed camera van is in the village, it is invariably on that road.

“The new roundabout seems to smooth out those bends. I would like to see it looked at again.”

Others pointed out that the planned toucan crossings would have the effect of slowing up traffic along a road intended to speed it up and asked if a bridge would be suitable.

But Cllr Alan Chantler pointed out that a fully accessible bridge would require a large ramp at either end, pushing the price up.

The district council is only a consultee on the road plan due to it being major infrastructure. The final decision on the road lies with Northamptonshire County Council’s development control committee.