WORK STARTS ON NORTHAMPTON SANDY LANE IMPROVEMENT NORTH

Work has started on a multi-million pound road which will eventually form part of an orbital route to the west of Northampton.

Northamptonshire County Council has started work on the Sandy Lane Improvement North road - a crucial infrastructure component for the future strategic growth to the west of Northampton. The county council, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) have all combined their resources to take forward the £7.2 million project.

Cllr Heather Smith, county council cabinet member for environment, growth and transport, said: "We’re delighted that work has now started on this very important project which is instrumental to the growth and development of this part of Northamptonshire. The existing Sandy Lane carries approximately 7,500 vehicles a day. It is a narrow road used by lorries and unsuitable for the level of existing traffic. This is an excellent example of what can be achieved in partnership."

Anthony Sowden, team leader for the HCA, said: "The Sandy Lane Improvement North is a key piece of road infrastructure for Northampton, which combined with other recent strategic investment in the area, will help to deliver future growth and regeneration in the town."

Chris Garden, WNDC’s Director of Regeneration and Development said: "This project is just the latest in a series of major improvements to the south west of Northampton. Multi million pound investment has already been made in state of the art flood defences at Upton as well as new roads such as Upton Valley Way North. It’s all part of WNDC’s pledge to ensure that growing communities are well connected and able to thrive."

The development, which has been contracted out to Carillion Civil Engineering, involves the construction of a 1.8km single carriageway between the A428 Harlestone Road and Berrywood Road and will run to the west of the existing Sandy Lane. The scheme includes the construction of two roundabouts, one at the northern end on the A428 and a double mini-roundabout at the southern end. It is planned that the route will connect with the Sandy Lane Relief Road and is scheduled to take 11 months to complete.