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Villagers' frustration as road stays shut for longer

BBC/Ollie Conopo An MPV driving along a road into village with potholes showingBBC/Ollie Conopo
People in Harpole and Duston said the ongoing Sandy Lane closure had put too much pressure on local roads

Residents and businesses have been speaking about their frustration following news that a busy road which should have reopened in March will stay closed for several more weeks.

Sandy Lane between Duston and Harpole, near Northampton, has been closed since last June to allow for new houses to be built.

The closure has led to diversions, with one local business saying it had “no passing trade” as a result.

West Northamptonshire Council said there were "a number of issues to resolve" and it would “continue to meet regularly” to get the road reopened.

BBC/Ollie Conopo Road closure in rural area with red signs showing access for deliveriesBBC/Ollie Conopo
T&S Threadgold said it had not been getting any passing traffic during the closure

Sandy Lane runs from Berrywood Road, Duston, towards the A4500 Weedon Road, giving access to Kislingbury or Junction 16 of the M1.

There will be 1,800 homes built on the Western Gate and Norwood Farm developments, and the Sandy Lane Relief Road is under construction as part of that project.

Work on the relief road began more than 15 years ago, but when it was halted it was labelled the “road to nowhere".

The recent resumption of work on the relief road caused the closure of Sandy Lane.

Residents of Duston and Harpole have complained of a lack of communication, long diversions and damage to roads in the area.

BBC/Ollie Conopo New unused road with red carriers across itBBC/Ollie Conopo
The closure was made to allow the construction of a new link road

Maureen Threadgold from T&S Threadgold, an automotive company, said: "We get no passing trade.

"Customers, even if we tell them how to get to us, think that the road closed means we're not here."

The closure has had a knock-on impact on other roads in Duston, according to Duston Parish Council.

BBC/Ollie Conopo Sandy Maitland wearing pink scarf and glasses on stringBBC/Ollie Conopo
Sandy Maitland said the closure meant large lorries were going through the village

Sandy Maitland, the vice-chair of the parish council, said: “We have trucks coming through on roads that were never built for carrying that kind of traffic.”

No new date has been given for the reopening of Sandy Lane.

West Northamptonshire Council Aerial shot of new road with roundabout and construction siteWest Northamptonshire Council
Sandy Lane and the new link road under construction can be seen from the air

West Northamptonshire Council said: "The proposed date for this route along Sandy Lane to reopen is by the end of June but there are still several factors to be resolved before this date can be committed to."

A spokesperson for Vistry and Miller Homes said: “We continue to apologise for any disruption the closure of Sandy Lane is having within the community,

"Please be assured that collectively, Vistry, Miller Homes and West Northamptonshire Council are working tirelessly to reopen the road as soon as possible.

"Whilst we fully understand the short-term challenges imposed by the road closures, these are necessary precautions to enable works to be completed safely and deliver long-term benefits to the community.”

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