Northampton bus lanes start operating 24 hours today to encourage 'active travel'

Weedon Road bus lanes will operate 24-hours-a-day from today (Monday) to encourage active travel in Northampton, the county council has confirmed.

It comes as the local authority has announced the latest in its series of active travel schemes, following funding of £351k by the Government from the Active Travel Emergency Fund.

As part of the latest developments, bus lanes along Weedon Road and St James Road in Northampton, which currently only operate during the morning peak, will be extended to operate 24 hours per day.

The council has said this change will 'serve to benefit' pedestrians, cyclists and taxis who are permitted to use the bus lane.

Councillor Jason Smithers, county council cabinet member for Highways and Place, said: “When it comes to putting an effective travel scheme in place, there are many factors that we’re having to consider – such as the width of roads, the impact on cyclists and pedestrians, and whether the schemes will cause any issues for local businesses and other stakeholders.

“With this in mind, I’m delighted that we have been able to progress these quick win proposals so promptly and effectively, as they will make a big difference to people who are making their journeys on foot or by bike.”

Work will also commence on Wednesday, August 5 to widen the footways on Cambridge Street and Silver Street in Wellingborough, to enable social distancing.

On-street parking bays will be suspended so that people can walk where vehicles are normally parked.

Ramps will also be provided to help people cross the kerbs, and barriers will be installed to protect them from the moving traffic.

The works will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure their effectiveness and changes will be made if considered necessary.

The latest plans follow the introduction of the very first scheme on Montagu Street in Kettering, back in June, and other options still being actively considered at present include a digital cycle counter and cycle parking in Northampton with new cycle lanes.