Transport plan approved - despite concerns

A council has approved a 20-year transport plan amid concerns over both the impact of traffic on villages and deferred road projects.

West Northamptonshire Council's Local Transport Plan (LTP) replaces the former county council's 2012 version, and sets out priorities for transport and infrastructure until 2045.

But some councillors criticised the LTP for overlooking key highway projects, particularly in rural areas, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Phil Larratt, the council's cabinet member for highways and transport, a Conservative, said he was "proud" of the plan and was "confident" it would benefit residents.

Discussed at a full council meeting on 13 March, the LTP includes proposals to enhance public transport, expand active travel options, improve road safety, and boost connectivity.

However, the deferral of key projects, notably the Northampton Northern Orbital Route, has raised concerns among councillors and residents.

This proposed road aims to alleviate traffic congestion in northern Northampton and surrounding villages by connecting the A5199 and the Northampton North West Relief Road.

During the meeting, the Conservative councillor for Moulton, John Shephard, asked the highways member to clarify the authority's intentions for the Northampton Northern Orbital road, which he described as a "spectre" around the town.

The council stated the "need, nature and deliverability" of the orbital scheme is not defined well enough to include within the LTP.

Similarly, the Farthinghoe bypass project has been deferred due to funding constraints.

For years, residents of Farthinghoe have campaigned for relief from the A422 traffic that congests the village, arguing it is not only a nuisance but a danger to life.

Ian McCord, leader of the Independent group on the council, accused the authority of lacking the "political will" to advance the bypass, contrasting it with other Northampton highways projects where they "could manage to find the cash".

Jonathan Harris, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, also called on the council to think more broadly about the pressures faced by rural communities and villages that are "not built for traffic".

But the Labour councillor Sue Sharps added: "From my point of view it has everything that we want in it.

"It is a piece of work for the future and I want to see as much of this delivered as possible."

The LTP will undergo reviews every five years.

In May, voters will go to the polls in West Northamptonshire Council's second election since its creation in 2021.

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