Council vows to find permanent solution to 'worst road in Northampton for potholes' after multiple complaints

The Chronicle & Echo has received numerous emails from residents urging the newspaper to visit Grange Road in Eastfield, a busy route near Northampton College’s Booth Lane campus, to see the current condition of the road.

The Chron went to take a look last week and saw that the roughly half-mile stretch of Grange Road was in extremely poor condition, with numerous large potholes scattered along the road.

In response, Councillor Richard Butler, cabinet member for highways at WNC, said: “We have been addressing issues in Grange Road when they’re reported to us and will continue to do so until we are able to provide a more permanent solution.”

Potholes in West Northamptonshire can be reported directly to the council through the Fix My Street website, the WNC app, or by calling 0300 126700.

The Chron received multiple emails from residents complaining about Grange Road, giving examples of the potholes and describing how one driver had his windscreen smashed due to the debris from a pothole. They were also concerned someone may get injured by pothole debris hitting pedestrians.

“Let’s hope the stones don’t hit a person or child walking home from school,” one said.

“Everyone is talking about it and contacting local councils. Have a look and you’ll see I’m not exaggerating,” one person told the Chron.

It is not a new issue for Grange Road.

The Chron reported on the same issue in March 2025, when WNC was under Conservative control. Following that coverage, the potholes were reportedly repaired in April 2025.

At the time, Labour councillor Koulla Jolley, who represented the Headlands ward before losing her seat to Reform, described the state of the roads as “ unacceptable” and said the roads in Headlands were the “worst in West Northamptonshire”.

“Honestly, I think the roads in Headlands are the worst roads in the whole of WNC and I would even say Northamptonshire,” she said at the time.