West Northamptonshire Council opens North-West Relief Road
17 December 2025
Travel across Northampton just became easier after West Northamptonshire Council officially opened the North West Relief Road (NWRR).
This new route connects the A428 Harlestone Road with the A5199 Welford Road creating a much-needed link over the railway line to deliver an essential part of the Local Transport Plan and to support economic growth in Northampton.
The project included:
- The construction of 1.5km single carriageway which will be named Gorse Valley Way
- 400m of causeway – raised road across flood plain
- A new rail bridge in partnership with Network Rail
- A new bridge over the River Nene in partnership with the Environment Agency
- Five culverts
- Two roundabouts plus flood relief and storage
The NWRR was completed within the anticipated timescale despite significant hurdles such as the impact of inflation, Covid 19, the war in Ukraine and two extraordinary events of exceptional flooding in 2023 and 2024.
“Today’s opening of the North West Relief Road is a major achievement which will be of great benefit to motorists and businesses in West Northants.Cllr Richard Butler, Cabinet aid: Member for Highways and Transport
“We are very pleased that our partners took great pride in supporting us to deliver within the agreed programme and budget.
“They have had to use inventive solutions to address a whole host of challenges encountered throughout this incredibly complex scheme.
“It will ease pressure on our local roads, supports economic growth, and improve people’s journeys.”
Environmental protection was prioritised from the outset with measures including silt fencing which stopped sediment seeping into the River Nene, footpath realignment to preserve mature trees, and a ditch designed around a 200-year-old oak to protect its roots.
Ecological mitigation included fish rescue and relocation during the River Nene diversion, saving between 600 and 700 fish across several species.
The North-West Relief Road was funded through a successful partnership of SEMLEP (now the South Midlands Authorities), developers’ contributions, and Council’s investment. It was delivered within the allocated budget of £57.4m.
The northern section was constructed by Balfour Beatty on behalf of the Council whilst the southern section, which was completed in August, has been built by Persimmon Homes and Barratt David Wilson, as part of the new Harlestone Grange development.
Key benefits include:
- Reduced congestion in north-west Northampton,
- Improved access to the M1 and local business parks, including Lodge Farm and Round Spinney
- Enhanced journey times and reliability for motorists, public transport users, cyclists, and pedestrians
This scheme was subject to planning permission including planning conditions that have been discharged. Some of these conditions required mitigation of the anticipated impact this new road would have at key junctions and locations, as well as in Boughton where traffic calming measures have recently been implemented within a new 20mph zone.