Work to start on widening busway on Daventry's Middlemore estate later this month

Construction will start on Monday September 14 and is expected to take about eight weeks to complete, with motorists being warned there will be ‘unavoidable disruption’ while works take place.

The busway linking Middlemore to the Heartlands Business Park is narrow as it was originally designed for buses and construction vehicles only.

However many drivers use it for general access in and out of the estate, and Daventry District Council has supported calls by residents to widen and convert it into a general purpose road.

Planning permission for the work was secured in May this year, and will be carried out on behalf of the district council by Kelbec to create a general purpose road

The road will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the works, with the exception of construction vehicles and emergency services. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout.

Councillor David James, the council’s economic, regeneration and employment portfolio holder, and a ward councillor for Middlemore, said: “Despite the original intention of the busway to promote the use of public transport, it’s clear that a housing estate of this size requires two entries and exits, and we have been pleased to support calls to convert this road.

“Unfortunately there will be some unavoidable disruption while the work is carried out, but I’m sure residents will agree it will be worth it for the improvement this will make to access in and out of Middlemore.”