WNC dismisses motorists' concerns with road markings which 'will cause accidents' on recently reopened roundabout in Northampton

The Queen Eleanor Interchange in Northampton fully reopened to motorists at the end of March following the completion of ‘major improvement works’.

Motorists had battled 12 months of long delays on all routes approaching the Queen Eleanor Interchange before the work was finally complete.

The project – delivered by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) in partnership with WSP, Kier and National Highways – was due to be finished in December 2025 but due to unexpected utility issues and hard rock excavation, the completion date was delayed to spring 2026.

However, since reopening, fresh concerns have been raised with the road markings.

Councillor Julie Davenport, Independent member for Delapre and Rushmere, said she has raised concerns with West Northamptonshire Council. In an email to WNC, she said: “I’ve received these comments/concerns about the Queen Eleanor Road:

“Travelling south on the London Road approaching the Queen Eleanor I’m told signs are needed on the approach, so drivers know, as the road splits into three which lane to get in.

“From Wootton there are no road markings on the lane for Town Centre.

“No barriers on entrance to London Road towards town and it’s 40 mph and could career into oncoming traffic.”

Responding, a WNC spokeswoman said: “The new road layout and markings at Queen Eleanor are an improvement on how things were previously organised. As with any such work, it is likely to take drivers a while to become accustomed to the changes, but if they follow the signage and road markings, they should avoid any issues.”

The spokeswoman added: “The lane closure in place today is not connected with work to upgrade the interchange, it has been scheduled by National Grid.”

Other motorists have also commented on social media voicing their concerns.

One said: “The lanes are marked wrong. Hopefully they may put this right and I won’t have anyone else cut across four lanes of traffic right in front of me like yesterday.”

A resident said: “Two lanes for Wootton but one for A45 west is crazy.”

One commenter said: “Lanes are not great, follow it round then get undertaken and have to move over. Doesn’t work.”

Another local said: “One lane from London Road for motorway and A45. People going up one lane for Wootton then cutting across to go to the motorway and even back along Mereway. It needs two lanes for M1 and A45 as traffic builds up in one lane on London Road for them and the lanes to Wootton are left with hardly any cars, causing traffic in one lane and will lead to accidents as people won't want to.”

One motorist said: “The lane system is ridiculous, and the signs make it confusing. Unless they alter it soon it’ll just become an accident blackspot.”

A further resident said: “I have been cut up twice going from Wootton to London Road as there are two lanes for town centre now instead of one before. People in the middle lane cut in at the last minute.”