Work is progressing on the multi-million pound Sandy Lane Improvement North – a new road which will eventually form part of an orbital route to the west of Northampton.

The major earthworks have now been completed and the road base is ready for the stone layer which will provide the platform for the actual highway.

Northamptonshire 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 transport, minerals and waste, said: “Things are really starting to take shape on site now and it can be seen where the road will go.

“This road will play an important part in supporting future growth and development in Northampton and is also essential in alleviating some existing traffic pressure.

“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.”

Chris Garden, WNDC’s Director of Regeneration said “This scheme is the latest in a series of three new roads towards the west of Northampton.

Nearby, multi million pound investment has also been made in state-of-the-art flood defences as well as new community facilities. They are all important building blocks for the regeneration of Northampton, supporting new jobs and homes for local people.”

In the past month the three piers and the abutments for the Port Road bridge have been completed and work has progressed with the structure and placing the bridge beams.

Storm water drains will take water from grass slopes in cuttings allowing the rain water flow into the filter drain in the carriageway verge. These are now complete and work is just being finished off on the filter and carrier drains throughout the site.

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.

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