Concerns raised about apparent lack of construction on new Towcester relief road after approval months ago

Concerns have been raised about construction apparently not starting on the Towcester relief road after little progress on the scheme since it was approved in February.

Liberal Democrat councillors want to ensure the bypass connecting the A5 and A43 is completed by spring 2022 but there has not been much communication from the developers.

Towcester town councillor David Tarbun said promises made by South Northamptonshire MP Andrea Leadsom, Northamptonshire County Council (NCC), the government and Persimmon Homes about the new road must be kept.

“There have been ongoing discussions between the private and public sectors, but Towcester’s local councillors and Towcester Town Council have been excluded," he said.

"The government agreed to give Persimmon some £3.8m to build the road sooner than their planning commitment allowed for.

"Local people are asking once again, what’s happening. The very latest update from our MP makes no mention of a deadline.”

It is hoped the long-awaited relief road will remove some of the large volumes of traffic that pass through the historic town centre, especially heavy goods vehicles (HGVs).

The single carriageway, 40mph bypass was given outline planning permission in March 2015 as part of a Persimmon Homes site for 2,750 homes to the south of Towcester.

Work was supposed to begin in March after South Northamptonshire Council (SNC) approved the final part of the planning permission the month before.

South Northamptonshire councillor Lisa Samiotis said: “Despite Covid-19, houses continue to be built on the new estates but there’s little evidence of significant progress with the so-called relief road.

"With Towcester increasing its population almost weekly, major developments being built at Silverstone, and massive rail freight depots planned, it’s vital HGVs are kept out of Towcester town centre.”

Towcester Lib Dems have pledged to keep up the pressure on the government to de-trunk the A5 through the town.

They believe that unless the A5 through the town is de-trunked, HGVs and other traffic will continue to damage and pollute the area.

Lib Dem member John Wade said: “Highways England is keeping to their policy that there can be no weight restrictions, speed limit or traffic calming to prevent HGV’s continuing to come through the town centre after the relief road is built.

"Highways England has said the relief road, with its four roundabouts, is simply for access to the new housing developments.”

Persimmon is responsible for bringing the bypass forward as part of the conditions of that planning approval, with it being funded from section 106 money from the developer.

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes Midlands said: “We continue to work towards a start on the Towcester Relief Road, well in advance of the timescales set out within our planning consent.

“The Section 106 (planning agreement) requires the Relief Road to be constructed prior to the occupation of 1,016 dwellings. There are currently 422 occupations, as of the end of September.

“Work on the relief road is likely to commence prior to the end of the year, subject to final technical approvals. This is a commitment made by Persimmon Homes.

“The wider development is progressing well, with the first of the public open spaces laid out and completed and the first of two primary school sites having now been made available for construction by Northamptonshire County Council.

“The development of the school site will be closely followed by the local centre, which will comprise a food store, care home, nursery and a mix of retail opportunities, which with the quality homes being constructed, will make this a truly desirable location.”

Highways England is also estimated to putting £4 million towards the scheme, which is estimated to cost up to £38 million in total.

It was originally agreed for the housing developer to build the relief road once it had built the 1,016th home – with no time limit.

But that was changed to have the road finished by the end of 2020 or 2021 at the latest.

A Highways England spokesperson said: “We continue to work very closely with all parties involved to ensure this road is opened as soon as possible.

"This is a new local authority link road and the developer, Persimmon Homes, is responsible for the design and delivery of the scheme.”

Mrs Leadsom said many constituents have contacted her about progress on the Towcester Relief Road but not from the Lib Dems on Towcester Town Council.

"I have long campaigned for this project, supporting residents and local stakeholders and I share their frustration about the delays to the project.

"Over the past several months I have met virtually with Persimmon, and representatives from NCC and SNC, continuing to push them for updates on the progress of the various planning applications and stages required to get construction to begin.

"Before the national lockdown started in March, Persimmon had started clearing trees to make way for construction work, a clear sign of their commitment to this much-needed project.

"I met with them virtually earlier this month and I am pleased to report that the planning stages are progressing and it is hopeful that full construction will begin before the end of the year.

"Some of the delays have also been due to technical approvals that Persimmon are waiting for on the roundabouts from Highways England. I understand that discussions on these are swiftly progressing.

"I have not heard any comments or ideas for a way forward from the Lib Dems on the Towcester Town Council, so it is disappointing to see them criticising the progress of the relief road at a time when it is important that we all work together in the best interests of Towcester.

"I have been consistent in my actions and support for local residents on the urgent need for a relief road – I will continue to push Persimmon, Highways England and the local authority on the urgency of this project."