'Delays likely': Busy country road in and out of Northampton to close for NINE MONTHS – here’s why

Nobottle Road, near Harpole and Duston, will be fully closed from January 5 until September 25, 2026 while contractors T & W Civils carries out reconstruction, roundabout construction and associated works, according to West Northamptonshire Council’s traffic reports.

The 3.29-kilometre stretch of road will be closed to all traffic, with a diversion in place via the Sandy Lane relief road onto the A4500. Delays are expected, and residents are being warned to plan ahead.

The closure is in place to accommodate the construction of a roundabout which will lead on to 450 new homes at Roman Fields, a housing estate extension to the village of Harpole.

Reacting, Harpole Parish Council said: “The parish council is concerned about the length of time of the proposed closure. We are currently in discussions with highways to impress upon them the need to reduce the disruption this will cause to the residents of Harpole.”

Conservative Councillor Phil Bignell (Bugbrooke ward) added: “I have had quite a few comments on this so far and expect many more. It seems very excessive to have the road closed for the whole period and I think traffic management with one direction travel with traffic lights and still being usable could be a better solution. If implemented the closure will cause major inconvenience to many residents. For residents going north they will be forced to use the already busy A4500. A lot of children attending Harpole school come from Duston and this will again cause issues to them twice a day.”

The Roman Fields scheme, submitted by Davidsons Developments and landowners John and Iris Green, was recently approved by West Northamptonshire Council.

In total, 27 objections were submitted by residents to the estate.

One objector said: “There is a dire need for road calming measures… Harpole village is being used as a rat run and this will continue unless careful thought and consideration is given to these issues.”

Access to the site is already being provided via a new roundabout off Roman Road, which is currently under construction.

Another said: “The number of houses being built in the area of Harpole and Duston is completely out of proportion with the size of land and facilities. It is changing the community in a damaging way by swallowing up green space and merging Harpole village with the edge of Northampton. The only purpose is to make as much money for the developer as possible with no concern for the local area. A further 450 houses with no real community of their own and no facilities is ridiculous.”

A WNC planning officer previously said: "The application accords with the development plan. It would deliver a balanced and sustainable development of up to 450 new homes and community infrastructure in an attractive, well designed, landscaped and pleasant environment. It is considered that the planning balance in this case comes down firmly in favour of approval. It is therefore recommended that planning permission be granted for the development."