We examine the prospects for road and rail and why transport is the key to the county's future
THE potential of north Northamptonshire will only be unlocked if we have a transport system fit for purpose, say politicians.
About 55,000 homes are set to be built in the area by 2026 under the Government's Milton Keynes and South Midlands growth plan, which also outlines proposals for another 43,000 jobs.
But politicians claim the county must first find solutions to resolve congestion on our busy roads.
County council cabinet member for highways and transportation Bob Seery said: "The level of growth proposed means we will need to match some substantial investment in our road network with increases in the amount of people who walk, cycle and use public transport.
"Tackling congestion is key to solving problems in our towns and on our major routes.
"As far as the A14 is concerned that is the crux of the whole issue to providing the growth."
Cllr Seery says the county council needs to spend 300m on the roads to bring them up to a good condition.
He refused to rule out congestion charging and said speeding fines could be used to help raise cash to maintain the road network.
One of the council's key plans is to widen the A14 to three lanes and close the road to local traffic, which will use a new bypass.
A delegation from the county recently travelled to London where they persuaded Minister of State for Transport Stephen Ladyman to visit Northamptonshire in the New Year.
The group, which included Kettering MP Philip Hollobone and county council leader Cllr Jim Harker, also lobbied the minister for part of the 70m needed to dual the A43 between Kettering and Northampton – the most dangerous road in the county.
Improving public transport in the county is also seen as an
important part of attracting new people to live in the area – as described in detail in the county council's local transport plan for 2006 to 2011.
Leader of Kettering Council and chairman of the East Midlands Regional Assembly's transport group, Cllr Terry Freer, said: "There simply is not going to be a good enough structure to carry all the local traffic unless the whole of north Northamptonshire has a much-improved public transport system. It's got to be so good that it persuades people to leave their cars at home."
More than 10,000 people signed a petition to back the campaign for a 15m rail link between Corby and St Pancras, which would involve building a new station in Cottingham Road.
There are also plans to develop a rail freight link at the Eurohub industrial estate where several warehouses will be built – creating about 3,000 jobs.
Elisabeth Jordan, of Arnhill Road, Gretton, a member of railway pressure group Railfuture, said: "I think you have got to remember the railways do not just carry people but goods as well.
"The possibility of developing the Eurohub means we have an opportunity to take a lot of lorries off the roads. That will reduce congestion and be good for the environment."
Meanwhile, new bus schemes are being brought forward to connect the new houses – many of which will be built on the edge of towns – with railway stations and regenerated town centres.
Wellingborough MP Peter Bone said: "We must have a transport system which can support the growth in population.
"Many of the people who will move to Wellingborough in the next couple of years will be commuters and something desperately needs to be done to increase capacity on the trains travelling to London."
THE amount of traffic on Northamptonshire's roads is set to rise by 50 per cent between now and 2021.
That means our road network will need significant improvements if it is to cope.
Funding has already been secured for the A509 Isham bypass and for the Corby link road, which will run from the A6003 at Barford Bridge to the Eurohub roundabout on the A43.
Next highways bosses will be looking at how to tackle congestion on the A14.
Plans are being drawn up to add a third lane to the dual carriageway near Kettering and to close the slip roads from Kettering and build a relief road alongside for local traffic.
A working group has been set up specifically to look at how Northamptonshire can manage the predicted increase in traffic.
A Highways Agency spokesman said: "The Government is aware of the concerns about transport capacity arising from the growth area agenda, particularly on and around the A14 near Kettering, and is working with local partners to develop sustainable solutions that will allow growth to proceed in a sensibly phased manner.
"The North Northants Development Company is leading an A14 working group, comprising all main stakeholders on an acceptable and deliverable transport package to cater for the intended growth."
There are also plans to dual the A43 between Kettering and Northampton, which has been labelled the most dangerous road in the county because of the number of serious accidents on it.
Kettering MP Philip Hollobone said: "Our local road network can't cope with the present population and will be completely unable to cope with an increase of between a third and a half in the next 15 years.
"Urgent action is needed to tackle the traffic in Kettering town centre and the A14 and the A43."
The county council has also announced it wants to dual the A43 between Corby and Stamford, the A605 near Thrapston and the A45 Stanwick to Thrapston road, and to build a bypass around Weldon to serve the new Priors Hall development.
It also wants to build a Wellingborough eastern distributor road linking the A45 and the A509.
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Weather for Kettering
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
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Temperature: -8 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 3 mph
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