Queen Eleanor Interchange finally complete...nearly one year after extensive improvements work began on busy roundabout

Motorists who have battled 12 months of long delays on all routes approaching the Queen Eleanor Interchange can now breathe a sigh of relief...the work is 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.

With spring just around the corner, WNC announced on Thursday March 19 that the Queen Eleanor roundabout is finally complete – although an exact opening date hasn’t been revealed.

Instead, we’re told that the busy junction ‘is set to fully reopen to motorists ahead of the weekend’.

The upgrade ‘will support economic growth, boost capacity, and cut congestion for the thousands of commuters who rely on this key route every day’, according to WNC.

The project included full carriageway resurfacing following the widening of the concrete subway, new kerbs and reinstated grass verges – creating smoother, safer and longer‑lasting road surfaces.

New traffic signals, additional lanes and CCTV coverage with MOVA, which is a more effective traffic detection system, have also been introduced to improve traffic flows at the junction, especially during the busiest periods.

Pedestrian routes have been upgraded too, improving safety and accessibility for cyclists and those on foot.

Cllr Richard Butler, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Northamptonshire Council said: “The completion of this project is great news and reflects the council’s commitment to investing in a modern, reliable network that supports our residents’ current and future transport needs.

“We are grateful to motorists for their patience throughout the works, which will provide lasting benefits for safety, efficiency and connectivity.”

In total, the works involved laying 25,000 square metres of new road surface – the equivalent of more than four full‑sized football pitches, as well as changing the waterproofing on the concrete bridge deck.

The scheme also included major drainage improvements, with 450 metres of new pipework, 50 new gullies and six chambers installed, each five metres deep.

More than 1,700 cubic metres of material were excavated and replaced with over 3,000 cubic metres of freshly seeded topsoil, helping restore the landscape ahead of planting around 40 new semi‑mature trees in the autumn.

Allan Rigby, General Manager at Kier Infrastructure, said: “All partners involved have worked tirelessly to deliver a scheme that strengthens a critical part of the network. The improvements made here will support growth, reduce delays and improve the day-to-day experience for road users. We are pleased to see the project completed to a high standard.”

The scheme will be monitored over the next 12 months, including formal and independent road safety audits, to ensure any defects or issues are promptly identified and addressed.