Major highways projects
Contents
- A45 Northampton Growth Management Scheme
- A43 Northampton to Kettering improvements
- Northampton North-West Relief Road
- A361 Chipping Warden Relief Road
- A422 Farthinghoe Traffic Mitigation Scheme
- Northampton Northern Orbital Highway Improvements
- Active Travel Scheme - Abington Park, Northampton
- Other highways projects
A45 Northampton Growth Management Scheme
The A45 Northampton Growth Management Scheme (NGMS) is a number of junction improvements along the A45 between M1 Junction 15 and the Great Billing Interchange.
The NGMS is a joint project between us and National Highways.
We are project managing the scheme and funding on behalf of all the project partners.
In total, seven junctions will be improved:
- M1 Junction 15
- A45 Wootton Interchange
- A45 Queen Eleanor Interchange
- A45 Brackmills Interchange
- A45 Barnes Meadow Interchange
- A45 Lumbertubs interchange
- A45 Great Billing interchange
Since the Cabinet’s decision in 2019, design activities have progressed for the future improvements on the A45 Northampton Growth Management Scheme (NGMS). A phased delivery has been considered in partnership with National Highways.
The first scheme to be delivered will focus on A45 Queen Eleanor interchange.
The remaining junctions will be improved as funding becomes available.
Queen Eleanor Interchange
West Northamptonshire’s Highways partner Kier Transportation will be starting the works on 31 March 2025.
The Queen Eleanor junction is a busy roundabout that joins the A45 trunk road with the A508 London Road, B526 Newport Pagnell Road and Hardingstone Lane.
As traffic has increased over the years, the junction has struggled to keep up, and improvements are needed to make it more efficient.
Scope
The entire interchange will comprise a consistent 3-lane capacity and require widening at the following locations:
- the existing bridge structures over the A45
- an 80 metre section of the London Road approach
- the junction circulatory including the existing northern over-bridge
- Newport Pagnell Road approach over a 100 metre-section
- slight realignment of Newport Pagnell Road exit from the circulatory
The works above the northern bridge deck will include the repairs of concrete joints and waterproofing. These improvements will necessitate some deep drainage connections on the Western and Eastern sides of the junction.
All street lighting will be changed to ensure all lighting columns are energy efficient.
Following new kerbing, new surfacing will be laid on the entire Interchange and new road markings and signs will be added.
The replacement of a short section of safety barrier on the North-eastern end of London Road will also be required.
The existing traffic signals will also be upgraded with an automated detection MOVA system.
You can view both the Schematics and General Arrangement below.
Benefits
National Highways granted Technical Approval to develop a scheme to improve capacity and reduce congestion in the area. These improvements will benefit the residents and motorists for now and the future.
Delivery phases
The outline programme of the Works includes the following key phases activities in 2025 that are subject to weather conditions and unforeseen events:
- April to May: site setting-up, environmental and structural surveys, site clearance
- June to July: structural works, utility diversions including deep drainage
- August to September: waterproofing, kerbing, and electrical connections
- October to November: installed equipment and surfacing
Traffic management
Temporary traffic management will be in place 24/7 from Monday 31 March. This is to ensure that carriageway widening, new traffic signs and signals, drainage works, and resurfacing are carried out in a safe and timely manner to protect the workforce and all users.
Subject to weather conditions and unforeseen events, we anticipate these works to be complete by Christmas 2025.
There will be lane closures on the Queen Eleanor roundabout, as well as on the road heading into Wootton Hall Park, with a full closure on the dedicated left-hand turn. A one-way system will be in place to minimise the impacts and motorist are advised to follow the signage.
Delays are likely and we appreciate your patience throughout this works. Wootton Park School will still be fully accessible during this time.
Full roundabout closures will be necessary at times which will mainly occur at nighttime whilst it is less busy. Dates will be communicated prior to any closure across our media channels. A full closure will be in place on the cul-de-sac on London Road.
We are engaging with the local residents and businesses that may be impacted by the scheme works. Access will be maintained at all times to properties and for emergency services, and during full closures, diversion routes will be in place.
What happens next
Further details of the programme will be shared with local residents and businesses as they become available.
Live updates will be available via the QR that is available via our Factsheets.
You can also read our December 2025 news update.
Works completed between December 2025 and January 2026
West side of the interchange
- Permanent surfacing, road markings and loop detectors for traffic signals have been completed, except for the section above the subway.
- A 12-metre CCTV mast and permanent traffic signs have been installed.
East side of the interchange
- Permanent surfacing, road markings, loop detectors and footways have been completed.
- A 12-metre CCTV mast and permanent traffic signs have been installed.
Both sides of the interchange
- Traffic signal controllers have been installed.
Area 11
- West subway parapet works have progressed using amended soffit falsework and formwork.
- Identified defects have been corrected.
Upcoming works to planned completion in spring 2026
Area 13 - Newport Pagnell Road
- Installation of additional shared footway and cycleway signs.
All areas
- Defect rectification and remedial works.
- Commissioning of permanent traffic signals.
- Commissioning of permanent CCTV cameras.
Area 11 - Mere Way to London Road
Verge and interchange works
- Completion of kerbing, surfacing, road markings and outstanding traffic signal loops.
- Extension of the west subway concrete parapet.
Programme of works
- Start date: 31 March 2025
- Planned completion: Spring 2026
What you need to know
If you have any questions, email us at [email protected].
To find out more about this scheme, visit major highways projects on the West Northamptonshire Council website.
For information about roadworks, visit the One Network website.
We would like to thank residents, businesses and road users for their patience while these works are carried out. All businesses remain open and accessible as normal, and resident access continues to be maintained.
Please follow on-site signage and speak to our on-site team if you need assistance.
Last updated 05 February 2026