Highways works will create access for new University Campus

Highways works have started which will create access to the new University of Northampton’s Waterside Campus development.

The works will include widening a stretch of the Bedford Road, Northampton, between Cliftonville and Nunn Mills Road.

The next phase will require traffic management to allow the works to take place safely, while allowing traffic to continue to use this busy route in and out of Northampton.

Motorists are being advised to use alternative routes or to allow extra time for their journeys as delays are very likely, especially during peak times.

There are three main phases to the work:

Phase One: May 9 – May 23

This focuses on the construction of a new carriageway and junction adjacent to the existing road with all work to be carried out off the road on the Midsummer Meadow/southern side. During this time the cycleway/footpath will be closed with a diversion on the north side.

This new carriageway will then be used as the westbound carriageway (towards town) during phase two.

Night closures

Before phase two can take place there will be a week of night closures with a diversion in place.

Monday, May 23 to Friday, May 27 between 8pm and 6 am.

Phase Two: May 31 – July 4

Work will start on the construction of the north side footpath and the diversion of utilities. Pedestrians and cyclists will be able to use both the north and south footpaths.

Phase Three: July 4 – July 22

Construction of traffic islands and final works to be completed to the road.

In August a further night closure will be required to complete the carriageway surfacing and white lining.

During the highways works, traffic will not be able to cross the temporary central reservation which will be in place for safety and to allow the works to progress quickly. This means that traffic exiting on to Bedford Road will not be able to turn right.

The roadworks are part of regeneration of a 58 acre brownfield site, creating a brand new £330million campus.

The roadworks are supported by the construction of a new single carriageway road bridge, which will link the Bedford Road into the new campus across the River Nene.

Once complete the bridge will span both the river and the new riverside footpaths creating an unimpeded walk along the river bank. A new footbridge, linking Beckett’s Park with the Waterside Campus and on to Delapre Abbey is also under construction.