More than one in four fatal crashes in West Northamptonshire involved HGVs, council figures reveal
"We're not pretending there are easy answers, but we do want an honest conversation about how lorries and heavy goods vehicles should operate in the future”
Four of the 15 fatal road collisions recorded across West Northamptonshire last year involved heavy goods vehicles, according to figures published by the council.
The statistics, contained in West Northamptonshire Council's draft Freight Action Plan, show HGVs were involved in more than a quarter of fatal collisions during 2025.
This compares with three out of 16 fatal collisions in 2024, three out of 14 in 2023 and two out of 15 in 2022.
The report highlights concerns about the disproportionate involvement of larger vehicles in serious and fatal crashes, despite freight traffic representing a relatively small proportion of overall vehicle movements.
According to the council, HGVs and light goods vehicles account for less than 15% of traffic recorded at strategic monitoring locations across the area.
The figures also show that 12 of the 149 collisions resulting in serious injuries during 2025 involved an HGV, compared with nine of 117 the previous year.
The council says improving road safety is among the priorities of its proposed five-year Freight Action Plan, which has now opened for public consultation.
The document identifies inappropriate lorry routes, congestion and the impact of freight movements on residential communities among the challenges facing West Northamptonshire.
It proposes reviewing existing weight restrictions, exploring enforcement options and working with freight operators to improve safety.
Councillor Richard Butler, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Freight is a fact of life in West Northamptonshire.
“It brings jobs, supports businesses and keeps goods moving, but we know it can also cause problems for people living near busy routes.
"We're not pretending there are easy answers, but we do want an honest conversation about how lorries and heavy goods vehicles should operate in the future.”
He encouraged residents, businesses and parish councils to contribute their views before decisions are made.
The consultation, which opened on November 5, runs until midnight on December 17.
A virtual drop-in session will also take place on November 24, from 2pm to 3.30pm.
The final plan is expected to go before the council's Cabinet for approval in spring 2027.
People can participate through the council's online consultation.