Towcester residents invited to have their say on town centre improvements
Residents are being invited to give their views on proposals drafted by National Highways to help tackle traffic issues in the market town of Towcester.
Residents are being invited to give their views on proposals drafted by National Highways to help tackle traffic issues in the market town of Towcester.
The community has seen high levels of traffic passing through the historic town for some time but the construction of a new link road south of the town, between the A5 and A43, will create opportunities to alleviate this issue.
National Highways is now suggesting a series of improvements that will encourage through traffic – particularly goods vehicles – to use the new link road and the A43 rather than the A5 through the centre of the Northamptonshire town.
Two options have been drawn up which residents will be consulted on. Both aim to improve signage, introduce speed and vehicle restrictions, improve walking and cycling facilities and provide public spaces. Possible Park and Ride services to the town centre are also being explored as additional measures to either of the options.
National Highways Project Manager, Mark Roxburgh, said:
“Our primary objective with these proposals is to enhance the A5 through Towcester to improve the lives of those who live, work and visit there. We want to remove some of the more disruptive traffic from the town centre to improve safety and help preserve Towcester’s rich history.
“We believe these improvements will have environmental benefits, reducing air and noise pollution, as well as providing better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Removing the traffic will make the High Street a more attractive place to visit.
“But we need to hear now from local people, communities and road users. Your views on the proposals will help us better understand the local area and any potential impact our schemes may have on you and the community.”
The options were drawn up after consultation with nearby councils and the police.
Among the proposals to be considered are more pedestrian and cycling crossings, improved parking on the A5 between Vernon Road and The Lindens, a new cycle and footpath between Towcester police station and Old Tiffield Road as well as new public spaces with seating areas.
Details of the options for improvements can be found here.
The public consultation will run for four weeks from Monday 15 August to Sunday 11 September 2022.
During the consultation, three information events will take place at venues in Towcester giving details of the options, with National Highways staff on hand to answer any questions. Two online consultation events are also planned.
The public information events will be held at:
- Wednesday 31 August, 10am until 7pm, Sawpits Centre, NN12 6FT
- Monday 5 September, 12pm until 7pm, Waitrose car park, Richmond Road, NN12 6HZ
- Tuesday 6 September 2022, 9am to 2pm, Aldi car park, Old Greens, Norton Road, NN12 8AX
The online events will take place on August 17 (7-8.30pm) and August 24 (7-8.30pm). To attend, email your name and the date of the event preferred to a5towcester@jacobs.com.
Feedback from the consultation will be considered before a preferred option is chosen. People can share their thoughts in the following ways:
- Complete a consultation response form online
- Send a completed form to: FREEPOST RTUK – RBLY – XUBT; A5 Towcester Improvement; 5 First Street; Manchester; M15 4GU
- Hand in a completed form at one of the consultation events.
More information is available on the A5 Towcester improvements web page.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
