Roundabout improvement connected to new Northampton estate sparks safety concerns among residents

A roundabout that is currently undergoing improvement works has raised safety concerns among local residents.

Works have begun on the mini roundabout that joins Main Road and Berrywood Road in Duston, as part of local highways improvements connected to a new housing development.

The St Crispin’s Place estate will see 118 properties built on land to the west of St Crispin’s Drive, which is just over a mile away from the mini roundabout.

Due to the location of Taylor Whimpey’s housing development, Upton Parish Council was consulted during the planning process, which is also when permission was granted for the roundabout works.

However, the roundabout is in the Duston Parish, so residents who use a fourth exit from the roundabout to get onto their driveways were unable to raise their concerns during the planning stage.

Cllr Shaun Pape, chairman of Duston Parish Council, said: “Part of the planning application affects this roundabout which is in Duston.

“The work will affect residents in Duston as it will make it very dangerous to exit and enter their properties.

“It will drastically affect traffic flow through Duston, but Duston Parish Council was not consulted in the planning process.

“Residents have had their democratic right ignored, but their lives will be severely affected by these works.”

A spokeswoman for Taylor Whimpey added: “As part of our planning permission for our St Crispin’s Place development, we will be making improvements to the local highway network.

“Before starting these works we have received all of the necessary approvals from Northamptonshire Highways and Northampton Borough Council, including a Road Safety Audit which was undertaken at the design stage of this development.”

However, those who live nearby the roundabout have a number of concerns including the increased traffic flow through the village and how this will affect children trying to cross the road to reach the nearby school.

Residents with driveways just off the roundabout are also worried about the small amount of space they will have to drive out, as the pavement will be moved closer to the edge of the driveway in order to allow room to add an additional lane.

The parish council and residents alike, are asking for the chance to express these concerns to the borough council and Taylor Whimpey, and to have an additional safety review carried out.

Mr Pape added: “We understand that we’re in difficult times and people are working away from the office, but communication from council has been insufficient.

“They have said they will get Taylor Whimpey to review the safety audit, but we’re trying to see what can be done about allowing the residents a consultation.

“We want a further review of the works and we want someone to communicate with the residents that are affected about what mitigation can be done.

“The work should be paused until the review has been carried out for the safety of the residents.”

Northampton Borough Council has said that they are now in touch with Mr Pape regarding his, and the residents’ concerns.

A borough council spokeswoman said: “Duston Parish Council were not consulted on this planning application as the application site is not within the parish.

“We are however in contact with Mr Pape to discuss his concerns.”

Work on the roundabout continues as the matter is discussed.

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