The government has approved funding for vital junction improvements between Northampton’s London Road and Ransome Road. The work will boost capacity and improve safety at the junction, while unlocking new development on a key town centre site.

West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) decided to invest £2.3m in the scheme in October 2009 and central government provided final approval for the funding in early 2010. However, the new coalition government has subsequently been reviewing funding commitments made by the previous administration, including the London Road Junction improvements.

Brian Binley, MP for Northampton South, played an influential role in securing the funding by liaising with key Ministers and explaining the importance of the scheme. The junction improvements, which will be delivered by Northamptonshire County Council, will directly enable the delivery of up to 450 new homes by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) on its Ransome Road redevelopment site.

The HCA assembled the Ransome Road site from landowners including Northampton Borough Council and Network Rail, and is remediating areas of it, prior to promoting Ransome Road for development. The HCA has re-submitted a planning application for the housing scheme, which is due to be determined by WNDC this Autumn. The site is part of wider plans for the Waterside area of Northampton, and the junction works will ultimately support the regeneration of the adjacent Avon/Nunn Mills site.

Margaret Allen, director for the HCA East Midlands, said: “It is great news that the works can go ahead and we can start progressing delivery of the housing development. The scheme is a key part of the local authority’s vision for Northampton and supports its aspirations for growth.”

Peter Mawson, Chief Executive at WNDC said: “the government clearly recognises the importance of Northampton and has backed WNDC to invest around £2million in these vital junction improvements. They will lead to the transformation of a largely derelict site, which is part of a bold and exciting vision for the town centre, being led by the local authorities”

Brian Binley MP said “I am delighted that the funding for this project has been secured. I have fought hard for this outcome and believe that the town will benefit immensely. We promised during the election we would favour brownfield developments over greenfields and that is exactly what we have done.”

“The redevelopment of this brownfield site is vital to the regeneration of Northampton and I have been involved in the decision making process with the Housing Minister, Grant Shapps, for sometime now. I am delighted that my colleagues in Government have agreed with me and given their backing to this project. I know from my own surgeries how important housing is to many people in desperate need of a decent home in Northampton. This infrastructure money will help pave the way.”

Development of Ransome Road is the latest step in the ‘Brownfield Initiative’, a long running, multi million pound programme to bring Northampton’s derelict brownfield land back into use. The Initiative has been delivered by the HCA, WNDC and Northampton Borough Council. It has focused on the remediation of various locations, including Ransome Road and South West Sixfields. It has also enabled the delivery of major new infrastructure including Edgar Mobbs Way, as well as part of the Upton Flood attenuation scheme.

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