Traffic Calming Update (August 2025) – Traffic Amelioration – Update for Residents

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Traffic Amelioration – Update for Residents

The Parish Council would like to update residents on the ongoing discussions about traffic mitigation measures in Boughton following the opening of the Northampton North-West Relief Road (NWRR).

As part of the planning permission for the NWRR, Condition 25 requires that West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) consult with Boughton Parish Council to agree a scheme of measures to reduce the impact of traffic through our village.

Over a number of years, many different options have been considered. We are now left with two main possibilities:

  •  Option 1: Introducing a 20mph traffic zone in the village, supported by traffic calming measures such as speed cushions and road markings.
  • Option 2: Closing Moulton Lane to through traffic, with appropriate access maintained for emergency vehicles.

A “do nothing” option was also put forward, but the Parish Council does not believe this is a credible response to the planning condition.

Following a parish-wide consultation in July 2025, in which 74% of residents supported a road closure, the Parish Council formally resolved to request Option 2. Our view is that a closure offers the clearest and most effective way of reducing through traffic and protecting the historic character of the village.

WNC, however, has expressed a preference for Option 1 (the 20mph zone). They have advised that emergency services object to a road closure, do not consider it deliverable and have vetoed our preferred option. Their proposal is to implement the 20mph zone and monitor traffic levels for an 18-month period, with a commitment to review the situation if volumes exceed agreed limits.

The Parish Council recognises that WNC are the ultimate decision-makers under planning law, but we also believe it is important that the strong and clear views of our community are respected. Independent legal advice confirms that WNC are not legally bound to adopt our preferred option but must consult with us to agree the detail. That said, we will continue to work constructively with WNC to ensure that the chosen measures are carefully monitored and that further action can be taken if the agreed scheme does not adequately protect the village.

Implementation and Monitoring

The NWRR will not be permitted to open until an agreed scheme of traffic calming is in place. To achieve the optimum design for the village wide calming measures the Parish Council has agreed to sit on a working group with the WNC engineers to agree the detail and design of this scheme.

To establish a clear baseline, WNC will be installing traffic counting apparatus from the time schools reopen in September. Traffic volumes will then be monitored regularly up to the opening of the NWRR and thereafter on a monthly basis. Updates will be provided so that residents can see the results of this monitoring.

In addition, Cllr Butler and the Director of Highways have agreed to meet with the Parish Council every three months to review progress.

Importantly, if the volume of traffic through the village increases by more than 2.1% per annum over the 18 months test period above the baseline figure, WNC has committed to revisit the parish preference of a road closure.

We would like to reassure residents that your views have been clearly communicated, supported by robust survey data and traffic modelling which show the significant benefits to Boughton and only limited impacts on neighbouring areas.

The Parish Council remains committed to seeking the best possible outcome for Boughton. We will continue discussions with WNC in a constructive spirit, whilst making sure that your concerns are heard and that safeguards are in place for a full review after 18 months.

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contribute to surveys, meetings, and consultations. Your engagement has been essential in ensuring that the community’s voice is represented.

The Parish Council will provide an update on the upcoming “workshop” with WNC & Kier at the next Parish Council meeting on 15th September, 7pm at the Village Hall.

 

 

 

BPC response to WNC’s recommendation for traffic ameliorating options in respect of the NWRR

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pdf - Ltr to Nick Henstock - NWRR traffic options

Traffic Calming Update (August 2024) – When will the NWRR open?

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The Parish Clerk received an email from WNC’s Major Projects Manager stating:-

  • WNC’s contractor Balfour Beatty will complete the construction of the Northampton North West Relief Road (NNWRR) by September 2024.
  • Some planting activities will take place this Autumn as this will be planting season.
  • WNC understand that Persimmon may have started some of their works and have programmed to complete in Spring / Summer 2025.
  • WNC’s ability to open the mainline of the NNWRR will be subject to Persimmon’s progress.
  • WNC have received the updated assessment of their traffic model which they hope to review by the end of September. So, they anticipate the next briefing to be either in October or November. (Note: this relates to the traffic calming measures to be implemented in Boughton parish)

In accordance the Parish Council’s resolution, the Parish Clerk made enquiries about the anticipated timescale between completion of construction and the road opening.

As this process is not managed by the Project Manager’s team, she could only provide general guidance based on standard practice in the UK (the process will be managed by WNC Highways Adoption Team and Persimmon):-

  • it is a lengthy process over several weeks if not months
  • Once Persimmon have completed their works i.e. the construction of their section of new road, WNC will have to be content:-
    • this has been done in line with the granted permissions; and
    • that an independent Road Safety Audit (RSA) has been undertaken with no critical issues being raised.
  • This may be complete within 3 to 6 months following the completion of the works, unless Persimmon have to undertake some critical remedial works.
  • If the above is complete in a satisfactory manner, the road may be open to the public. That may take another 3 months. However, WNC colleagues may agree with Persimmon that WNC should proceed with the adoption of the road built by Persimmon so it does become public highway, and then give access to the public.

The Project Manager doubted any more specific updates may be shared until Persimmon have completed their construction works of the new road in Spring / Summer 2025 and wanted to emphasise two issues:-

  1. Construction works are subject to existing site constraints, and unforeseen weather and ground conditions. Hence any unforeseen events that may arise may cause delays.
  2. WNC have no control over Persimmon’s construction works nor programme.

Traffic Calming Update (July 2024)

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The WNC project manager confirmed there is no further update from June 2024 as they are waiting for their consultant, WSP, to complete their latest assessment of the traffic model.

Once received, it will be reviewed and the outputs will be discussed with WNC planning officers.

It was suggested the Parish Council communicate with WNC again in September 2024.

Traffic Calming Update (June 2024)

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WNC have provided an update to the questions proposed in May 2024.

Q1. Please can you clarify what would happen if planning conditions were not met by WNC or the developer? Is it possible for the road to open without the planning condition being discharged? Other than a planning condition, are there any contractual obligations to fulfil the delivery of the road? Are there any legal penalties etc.

Planning approval for application ref. 19/00045/CCDFUL was granted on 11th June 2019. Here are the precise terms of condition 25.

“Prior to the new road opening the applicant shall consult with Boughton Parish Council to agree the extent and detail of a scheme of measures for ameliorating the impact of traffic from the permitted development on Boughton village. The scheme as may be agreed shall be submitted to the County Planning Authority and implemented in full prior to the new road opening.

Reason: To ensure traffic is effectively monitored and managed across the highway network following the completion of the new road having regard to Policies S10 and Policy C2 of the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy Local Plan (Part One) (2014).”

The Northampton North West Relief Road (NNWRR) will be fully open to traffic once Persimmon have completed the construction of the new road on their site that ties-in with the NNWRR. The date currently anticipated is 2026. However this is subject to Persimmon’s progress and updates.

Q2. Is there any update on when the reconvened meeting with Ward Councillors will be?

I will discus this with our directors and Cllr Larratt next week and contact you again to suggest a date for a meeting mid-July 2024 if convenient for Cllr Larratt and the Ward Councillors. I will attend it with our consultants.

Q3. There is reference to another option being considered, is there any further information on this for parishioners? What stage is the option currently at? Has traffic modelling been commissioned?

Since December 2023, traffic modelling has been progressed. We will discuss options when we next meet in July 2024.

Q4. Please can you clarify why the previous traffic modelling was discussed with Boughton first and now the approach is to discuss the new traffic modelling with Ward Councillors first? If the Ward Councillors support the new proposal but Boughton parishioners don’t, where does this leave us? Whilst timescales may be very vague at this stage, if parishioners could at least understand the process / project milestone it would really help.

Please refer to my response to Items 1, 2 and 3.

Q5. The Northampton Chronicle reported on 18 April that Persimmon have confirmed “it is our ambition to begin construction on this section of the road in Summer 2024….the estimated completion date with this in mind would be February/ March 2025” Is this WNC’s understanding?

Only Persimmon can provide clear updates in line with the planning process they have to comply with.

Traffic Calming Update (May 2024)

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For an overview please see:- https://boughtonparishcouncil.co.uk/traffic-calming/traffic-calming-february-2024

For the last update please see:- https://boughtonparishcouncil.co.uk/traffic-calming/traffic-calming-update-march-2024

WNC’s project manager for the NWRR has recently changed. This has inevitably caused some delay in receiving updates. The latest update from the WNC project manager is as follows:-

“I have had to seek further guidance from colleagues whilst other teams are liaising with Persimmon. Hence I may not be able to share any updates until early Summer as I need to collate clear information before answering your questions. In advance, many thanks for your understanding.”

The Parish Clerk awaits an update on the following questions:-

Q1. Please can you clarify what would happen if planning conditions were not met by WNC or the developer? Is it possible for the road to open without the planning condition being discharged? Other than a planning condition, are there any contractual obligations to fulfil the delivery of the road? Are there any legal penalties etc.

Q2. Is there any update on when the reconvened meeting with Ward Councillors will be?

Q3. There is reference to another option being considered, is there any further information on this for parishioners? What stage is the option currently at? Has traffic modelling been commissioned?

Q4. Please can you clarify why the previous traffic modelling was discussed with Boughton first and now the approach is to discuss the new traffic modelling with Ward Councillors first? If the Ward Councillors support the new proposal but Boughton parishioners don’t, where does this leave us? Whilst timescales may be very vague at this stage, if parishioners could at least understand the process / project milestone it would really help.

Q5. The Northampton Chronicle reported on 18 April that Persimmon have confirmed “it is our ambition to begin construction on this section of the road in Summer 2024….the estimated completion date with this in mind would be February/ March 2025” Is this WNC’s understanding?

Traffic Calming Update (March 2024)

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The Parish Clerk asked the project manager of the NWRR the following questions:-

Q1. How long do Ward Councillors have to provide feedback to you?

The work WCN have been undertaking has been an interactive process, firstly discussing with the Boughton Parish Council and subsequently having discussions with all three Moulton Ward Councillors, the three Ward Councillors of Kingsthorpe North and the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Cllr Larratt. This took place prior to Christmas and we’re looking to reconvene in the coming few weeks.

Q2. If the proposal is agreed by Ward Councillors, do you have a particular timescale in mind?

Condition 25 requires the proposal to be agreed by Boughton Parish Council.  The development of the options has been considering the wider impacts to the Local Highway Network, as displacement of traffic to a significant scale to areas such as Pitsford and Holcot is not desirable. Any engagement on the solution and implementation needs to be complete prior to the main part of the North West Relief Road being open. More on this below.

Q3. The WNC website states completion of the works are projected for summer 2024, is this still correct?

Yes, in terms of the work Balfour Beatty are undertaking for WNC, the scheme is still scheduled to be complete in Summer 2024. However, only the new causeway section between Brampton Lane and Northampton Road will be open to traffic, with the main stretch of the road dependant on Persimmon completing their infrastructure and providing the link down to New Sandy Lane.

Q4. Has a date been published for when Permission aim to finish their section of the road?

Unfortunately not. WNC are in frequent dialogue with Persimmon, pushing for them to get started on site, but we have yet to receive a formal programme from them. Provision of an acceptable programme of their works is a condition of their planning permission.

Q5. Presumably condition 25 applies when the whole road is open?

This is correct. WNC are conditioned to provide further off site mitigation at three locations and having an understanding of the Persimmon programme is key to ensuring that we time our works for the purpose which they were required and not simply provide additional capacity ahead of NWRR opening.

Q6. What types of stakeholder engagement could the parishioners expect? An exhibition, a feedback form, a vote?

Some initial discussions have taken place with your Ward Members, but they are in their infancy. A preferred option and its principals need to be agreed and Condition 25 is unclear on the process for agreeing this. However, it is clear that it is the Boughton Parish Council to agree what is implemented.

Q7. If Ward Councillors do not agree to the proposal – what is the next step?

This has not been agreed as yet. As mentioned above, we are exploring another option and developing a presentation to those Cllrs who we met with prior to Christmas.

Q8. If the proposal is taken to stakeholder engagement and there is a strong sense of opposition – what happens then?

Again, Condition 25 is silent on this and this is something which requires prior agreement.

I appreciate that some of these answers don’t provide the clarity you were probably looking for, but these are matters which all parties are aware of and it is understood that these need to be properly considered.

 

History of the Traffic Calming proposals (February 2024)

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Summary of Traffic Calming Scheme in respect of the NWRR (February 2024) (pdf)

As the hyperlinks do not work in the PDF, they are copied below.

https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/current-minerals-and-waste-planning-applications/north-west-relief-road

https://www.westnorthants.gov.uk/current-minerals-and-waste-planning-applications/north-west-relief-road