Traffic Calming Update (March 2024)

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.