Update on Sandy Lane
The proposed date for this route along Sandy Lane to reopen is by the end of June but there are still several factors to be resolved before this date can be committed to.
Published: 7 May 2024
Vistry, Miller Homes and West Northamptonshire Council are working together to create a new route to link the southern part of Sandy Lane with the new section of the relief road which leads to the Berrywood Road/Roman Road junction.
The proposed date for this route along Sandy Lane to reopen is by the end of June but there are still several factors to be resolved before this date can be committed to. The developers and West Northamptonshire Council are continuing to meet regularly to give this reopening the best chance of success.
Cllr Phil Larratt, council Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport, Highways and Waste, said: “We’ve worked hard with everyone concerned to make sure this reopening takes place as soon as possible.
“We’re confident that it will be possible to get the new section of road opened by the end of June, but at this stage we can’t totally exclude the possibility of a minor delay beyond 30 June due to the nature of post-construction checks necessary on all new roads.
“Clearly this needs to happen as soon as possible to ease the traffic issues which have been experienced by the residents of Harpole and Duston.”
Originally it was anticipated that a temporary link would make reopening possible, though following investigation this was not a viable option.
The council is continuing positive discussions with Homes England, owner of the land surrounding the short stretch of relief road which will be the final part of the direct connection with the A4500.
A spokesperson for Vistry and Miller Homes said: “We continue to apologise for any disruption the closure of Sandy Lane is having within the community, please be assured that collectively, Vistry, Miller Homes and West Northamptonshire Council are working tirelessly to reopen the road as soon as possible.
“The multi-million-pound Sandy Lane Relief Road will provide a vastly improved transport infrastructure to the area and whilst we fully understand the short-term challenges imposed by the road closures, these are necessary precautions to enable works to be completed safely and deliver long term benefits to the community.”