One of the ‘most dangerous stretches of road in the Midlands’ is right here in Northampton, says local councillor
A Northampton councillor says danger on the A5 is ‘rapidly escalating’ after figures show more than 26 accidents in two years.
Cllr Daniel Lister, who sits in the Long Buckby ward, says he has been pushing West Northamptonshire Council and National Highways to make improvements following a number of accidents along the A5 at the Watford Gap, Long Buckby and Whilton junctions.
Cllr Lister, who is also leader of the conservative group, said: "The official data proves the danger on the A5 is rapidly escalating. In 2023 alone, just two junctions around Watford Gap saw seven collisions resulting in 12 casualties, including one tragic fatality. However, that is just the tip of the iceberg.
“National Highways only counts crashes where someone is injured and it is reported to the police. Their official figures completely ignore the countless collisions resulting only in vehicle damage.
“Worse still, newer data from CrashMap reveals another 14 incidents along this short stretch across 2024 and 2025.
“When you look at the crossroads around Watford Gap, Long Buckby, and Whilton together, the Kilsby to Weedon corridor is undeniably one of the most dangerous continuous stretches of road in the Midlands.”
Currently National Highways is carrying out a safety study which covers the A5 from Kilsby to Weedon.
An accident analysis has also been undertaken at the Watford Gap, Welton and Venture Caravan junctions, with National Highways currently reviewing safety recommendations.
But Cllr Lister says improvements need making immediately.
He told the Chronicle & Echo: “We warmly welcome National Highways extending their safety study to cover this full route, but a study alone saves no lives.
“We urgently call on National Highways to commit to a comprehensive safety strategy and provide the direct capital funding needed to deliver these improvements without further delay."
A spokesman from National Highways said: "Safety is always our top priority, and we are liaising with Cllr Daniel Lister and the local community about concerns regarding this stretch of the A5.
“We review accident and collision data across all our roads to identify locations where safety improvements will have the greatest impact and recently completed a detailed study of the A5 between Venture Caravans to south of the Watford Gap.
“We are now looking closely at the results to decide our next steps.”