Updates

6 February 2025

Towcester A43 Relief Road Scheme: Night-Time Road Closure Announcement

As part of the Persimmon Homes Towcester A43 relief road scheme, there will be a full nighttime closure on the A43 on 7 February 2025.

Following public feedback regarding the difference of surface level on the northern cross over, we will be adjusting the cones and studs to realign the vehicle cross over point. This adjustment aims to ensure a smoother passage for the larger vehicles that use the A43.

We will be closing the A43 Southbound carriageway on 7 February 2025 for 1 night from 22:00pm – 06:00am. Southbound diversion route includes using the A5 to Bletchley and then joining the A421 back to the A43.

These improvements are crucial for enhancing traffic flow and safety in the area, and they will connect the relief road to the A43, which will help reduce traffic through Towcester once it opens.

We regret any inconvenience that this closure may cause.

19 December 2024

Upcoming Phases of A43 Roadworks and Traffic Management

Phase 1 of the programme commenced in November and we have now completed the vegetation clearance. We have also installed temporary crossovers in the central reserve of the A43.

We are now pleased to announce details for Phases 2 and 3 of these works as follows:

• Phase 2: 6 January 2025 – 14 May 2025 A43 Southbound closed; the Northbound carriageway will operate as a contraflow.
• Phase 3: End of May 2025 – Mid June 2025 – A43 Southbound and Northbound lane 2 closure

The road will be fully open again in time for the MotoGP which we recognise is an important event in the Silverstone calendar.

A 24/7 emergency recovery service for vehicle breakdowns within the working area will be provided throughout the period of these works.

We understand that construction activities can be disruptive, and we are committed to minimising the impact on local businesses and residents. During the construction period, there may be temporary road closures and diversions. We will ensure that clear signage is in place to guide traffic and that access to properties is maintained at all times.

17 December 2024

Night-Time Closures on A43 for Towcester A43 Relief Road Scheme – December 2024 & January 2025

As part of the Persimmon Homes Towcester A43 relief road scheme, there will be 3 full night-time closures on the A43 in December and January.

On 18 December 2024 we will close the A43 northbound carriageway for 1 night to install the temporary protection barriers at the recently completed crossover points and remove the traffic management restrictions to avoid congestion during the Christmas period.

This closure will involve the full closure of the northbound carriageway and a closure of lane 2 of the southbound carriageway, lane 1 will remain open. Northbound diversion route includes using the A421 to Bletchley and then joining the A5 back to the A43 at Towcester.

On 6 January we will close the A43 northbound carriageway from 10pm to 6am to install the contraflow on the northbound carriageway.

On 7 January we will close the A43 southbound carriageway for 1 night from 10pm to 6am to install the contraflow on the southbound carriageway. Southbound diversion route includes using the A5 to Bletchley and then joining the A421 back to the A43.

Jackson Civil Engineering has been contracted by Persimmon Homes to construct the A43 roundabout at Towcester. These improvements are crucial for enhancing traffic flow and safety in the area, and they will connect the relief road to the A43, which will help reduce traffic through Towcester once it opens.

20 November 2024

Towcester relief road takes huge step forward

The construction of the Towcester Relief Road has taken a huge step forward following technical approval for the A43 section of the road.

Technical approval is a complex process and has been achieved following many meetings between housebuilder Persimmon Homes, National Highways and West Northamptonshire Council.

Work has now started on the construction of the A43 roundabout with limited vegetation clearing. These works will initially be undertaken from the land to the East of the A43, to mitigate the effect on the road network.  The vegetation clearing will then be completed under overnight nearside lane closures.

From 25^th November, for a four-week period, the installation of temporary crossovers between Abthorpe RBT 46/2 and Wood Burcote junction 44/4, will be undertaken which will involve overnight closure (20:00 – 06:00) of the offside lanes on both the north and southbound carriageways with a temporary 40mph speed limit in place. The nearside lanes on both carriageways will remain open during this phase.

A 24/7 emergency recovery service for vehicle breakdowns within the working area will be provided throughout the period of these works.

Previous Updates

We would like to provide an update on the latest progress of the A43 roundabout, following a regular monthly meeting between Persimmon Homes, National Highways, Silverstone and West Northamptonshire Council. Our latest target programme for the completion of the works is as below:

• Now that Silverstone F1 is behind us, you will notice our contractor is back on the A5 to carry out finishing works for the A5 Roundabout 1, as well as remedial works to enable the provisional certificate to be issued and also complete the final Road Safety Audit recommendations for both Roundabout 1 and the Racecourse Roundabout. The programme for these works is 6-8 weeks.
• On the Towcester Relief Road itself, the bridge works are complete over Silverstone Brook. We now have a surfaced road all the way through to the connection point of the A43 Roundabout.
• Roundabout 2 – 3 (Wood Burcote Roundabout) is now open to the public. This gives access to the David Wilson Homes phase at Wood Burcote and will also link the new Relief Road to the A43 via the Burcote Road.
• Access through to Wood Burcote itself via the new development parcel will remain restricted until there are a number of occupations on the new phase. When this connection to Wood Burcote is opened, Persimmon and WNC will be carefully monitoring the ‘rat run’ potential. HGV’s are the primary concern.
• We have appointed a contractor for the A43 Roundabout. The Technical Approval process is close to a conclusion and the focus is moving to the buildability and traffic management meetings with National Highways and our contractor.
• We should be able to confirm a start date on site once these meetings are concluded and we remain committed, as do all stakeholders, to delivering this A43 Roundabout at the earliest possible date. 
• The completion works to the A5 roundabout have been slightly delayed due to a new Clerk of Works on site and the resulting change in management. National Highways restrictions to road space will likely result in a commencement date closely following Silverstone F1 week. Timescales will be confirmed asap.
• The bridges on the relief road are still on track to be completed by the end of May. This completes the main construction works on the relief road giving access up to the proposed A43 roundabout. The final surfacing of this road will be programmed in to ensure this is fully complete and ready for traffic as soon as the A43 Roundabout is built and open. The section of the Relief Road between the Roundabout 2 (which provides access up to the Primary School) and Roundabout 3 (Wood Burcote) is now final surfaced and will be open to the public imminently.
• Our proposed A43 roundabout sits directly over a crossover used for the Silverstone F1 weekend traffic management. We have been working closely with Silverstone to ensure that we have suitable provision in the new scheme for the same facility and are working through the final comments from National Highways in order to progress these works.
• A contractor for the A43 roundabout will be appointed shortly. This will allow further and full engagement with all stakeholders in respect of build sequencing and traffic management. Ultimately, we will be looking to find a balance between traffic disruption and overall build programme.
• You will have noticed, there still remains some finishing works on periphery of the new A5 roundabout. The landscaping works have been held up by the inclement weather recently but we were also waiting on a final approval from National Highways for the pond outfall which we’re pleased to confirm is now in place. The landscaping works will commence from next week (2nd April). There should be no disruption to traffic flows, but you will see cones along the kerb edges of the roundabout and signage to protect workers. We will finish all the landscaping by the end of May. The outfall pipe which is to be directional drilled under the A5 will not open up the carriageway, but will unfortunately result in some further traffic management for a short period in June. Further details will be confirmed in due course.
• The bridges on the relief road will be completed in May. This completes the main construction works on the relief road giving access up to the proposed A43 roundabout. The final surfacing of this road will be programmed in to ensure this is fully complete and ready for traffic as soon as the A43 Roundabout its built and open.
• The section of the Relief Road between the Roundabout 2 (which provides access up to the Primary School) and Roundabout 3 (Wood Burcote) is now final surfaced and will be open to the public later in April.
• Our proposed A43 roundabout sits directly over a crossover used for the Silverstone F1 weekend traffic management. We have been working closely with Silverstone to ensure that we have suitable provision in the new scheme for the same facility. These meetings have progressed alongside the final technical approval matters and we currently hope to have everything concluded ready for a site start later summer. We will provide further updates in due course.
• We will be looking to appoint a contractor for the A43 roundabout shortly. This will allow further and full engagement with all stakeholders in respect of build sequencing and traffic management. You will be party to these discussions in the coming months. Ultimately, we will be looking to find that balance between traffic disruption and overall build programme.
• We are pleased to confirm the A5 roundabout will be open by 7^th November 2023. In order to finalise these works, a number of weekend road closure dates have been agreed with National Highways on 08/09/23, 15/09/23, 13/10/23 and 20/10/23. In addition, we have also agreed a night closure from 23/10/23 to 30/10/23. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time and look forward to having these works completed by 7^th November.
• We are pleased to confirm the A5 roundabout will be open by w/co 30th October. In order to finalise these works, four road closure dates have been agreed with National Highways on the 8th and 15th of September and 6th and 13th of October.
• The management of the play area on the first phase of our Towcester Grange development has now been transferred to West Northamptonshire Council. Over the coming months, we will be working with the council to also transfer the management of the allotments, public open space and other play areas on the development. We will update residents on this website as and when these transfers occur. Any questions or queries relating to the play area at Towcester Grange are best answered by West Northamptonshire Council.
• Traffic management measures will be in place on the roundabout during the Grand Prix to allow access to Cowpastures Lane from the A5. For more information please see the attached road layout below:

• Planning permission has been granted for the Community Centre on the development. You can view our latest plans and press release below: