What’s happening this Winter

Our appointed contractor, Winvic Construction Ltd is making good progress with both the main onsite works and the programme of highways works.

Over the Winter months, you will see the following activities on site:

  • Rail connection - the new rail tunnel is complete. On-site rail works will continue through 2023 and Network Rail will be working on site to connect the rail freight terminal to the West Coast Mainline. The rail tie will be fully open by Q3 2024.
  • Development plateaus - The 2023 earthworks season finished at the end of October, with plot 1 and some earthworks bunds remaining to be completed in 2024.
  • Roade Bypass - The bypass is now open to traffic as part of a diversion route. Works to the southern roundabout to tie in Hill View Farm and the final arm of the roundabout will be concluded in Q4 2023. Completion works will continue through the Winter with the road scheduled to be completed in Q1 2024.
  • West Coast Mainline Bridge - works are complete
  • Services - the primary sub-station works are complete and were energised in Q1 2023, providing power to the whole scheme. Water and gas are connected to the development.
  • M1 Junction 15 - works are now complete with all Traffic Management removed.
  • M1 Junction 15a - Traffic Management (24/7) works are due to be completed in December 2023. Works are ongoing to improve traffic flow around J15a with additional lanes running around the islands, traffic signals and street lighting. These works will conclude late Q4 2023
  • A508 junction upgrades - will run from Q2 2023 to Q1 2024.

Rail Freight Terminal

The strategic rail freight interchange will connect to the West Coast Mainline via the Northampton loop line, and will encourage the increase of sustainable movement of freight by rail. The terminal will include intermodal container storage and Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) parking, and the provision of an aggregates’ facility, with the capability to also provide a rapid rail freight facility.

The new rail tunnel and terminal are complete. Network Rail has completed their nine day blockade of the Northampton Loop, completing their works to facilitate access into the terminal. The on site rail will continue through Q4 2023 and Q1 2024 with the terminal being open in Q3 2024.

View latest progress here

ROADE BYPASS AND REMOTE JUNCTIONS

Roade Bypass is a new 2.5km single carriageway road that will be constructed to the west of Roade, tying into the A508 to the north at Northampton Road and A508 to the south at Stratford Road. As part of the bypass construction, a new road bridge across the West Coast Main Line will be built to the north of Bailey Brooks Lane Bridge.

The bypass will have 3 roundabouts:

  • A508 Northampton Road
  • Blisworth Road
  • A508 Stratford Road

Works will continue through the Winter, creating the new road alignment and environment bunds, road drainage and ponds. Road paving and utility diversion works complete. The road is scheduled to be completed in Winter 2023 / Spring 2024. You can find out more about the phasing and timing of the upcoming works here.

A508 Northampton Road / Blisworth Road Junction (Courteenhall Road Junction)

  • Drainage improvement and new cycleway construction works will follow the diversion works under Traffic Management to Winter 2023

Roade Bypass

  • The bypass is now open to traffic as part of a diversion route.
  • Works to the southern roundabout to tie in Hill View Farm and the final arm of the roundabout will be concluded in Q4 2023.
  • Completion works will continue through the Winter with the road scheduled to be completed in Q1 2024.

Traffic Management And Closures

There will be some road closures during the Winter months. Click here for more details.

We appreciate any work in the public highway can be frustrating and would like to apologise for any disruption – we will be getting through the works as quickly and as safely as possible.

We would like to reassure you that we will work closely with the highways authorities to ensure any disruption is minimised and we will keep you regularly updated of any potential impacts. Highway works have been planned in coordination with National Highways and Northamptonshire County Council and will be reviewed on a regular basis during the project.

If road closures are required, diversion routes will be put in place, and we will notify you of these in advance. For the latest Traffic Management information see Traffic & Travel.

DCO Amendment

An amendment to the Development Consent Order (DCO) has been granted to allow occupation of up to 2.5 million sq ft prior to the rail freight terminal becoming operational. For further information please click here.