Sally Keeble, has joined local residents in calling for the withdrawal of County plans for a new relief road which she says fails the Council’s own “fit for purpose”.

She says the plans for the new North West Relief Road will increase congestion, add to pollution and fails to meet the policies set in the County Council’s Transport plan “Fit for Purpose”. In particular it fails to link to public transport, limit carbon emissions or improve the road infrastructure around the north of Northampton.

The Whitehills and Spring Park Residents Association (WASPRA) has dubbed it “the road to nowhere” and called on Northants County Council to rethink its plans.

In her submission sent into the County Council she criticises the limited scope and capacity of the road which she says the council’s own figures show will add to congestion in the Spring Park area.

She also says it fails to meet some of the council’s own tests for new developments including requirements that they should:

· Encourage modal shift from use of private cars to more sustainable forms of transport

· Link to public transport, cycle and walking routes

· Protect public health and not widen health inequalities

· Seek to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment

· Win public support

She said:

“Northampton desperately needs an orbital road and public transport, especially around the north of the town. However, this proposal isn’t it, but instead is a limited road development to serve a particular housing estate. The council need to consider the opinions put forward by the local community, public health and the future of sustainable transport and come back to us with a proposal that is fit for purpose.”

The new road will cost between £25m and £40m according to Northamptonshire County Council and construction is planned to start in Spring 2020 with a predicted completion date of 2022.

The public has only until August 2nd to comment, responses can be submitted here.

Contact Sally Keeble for press inquiries