Major funding boost for county infrastructure

The money will help enhance road safety and expand walking, cycling and bus networks in Northamptonshire

Transport infrastructure in a county is in line for a £55.3m funding boost after a major investment from the Department for Transport was announced.

North Northamptonshire Council said the money would help enhance road safety and expand walking, cycling and bus networks.

The money is in addition to £15m per year already allocated through the Reform UK-controlled council's general fund capital programme.

Chris McGiffen, executive councillor for highways, said the "scale" of the funding would enable the authority to "deliver projects that will make our transport network safer and more accessible".

"This funding gives us the flexibility to address both immediate needs and long-term goals. We're working to identify the most impactful projects and will phase approvals as we gain certainty on costs and deliverability," added McGiffen.

"The council remains committed to engaging with residents and stakeholders throughout the process to ensure the improvements reflect local needs and deliver lasting benefits."

The £55.3m is made up of a £54.588m local transport grant, £508,000 from a consolidated active travel fund and £191,000 from an active travel fund.

The money will be the subject of a report to the council's executive meeting on Tuesday, 15 July.

Transport plans

North Northamptonshire Council said it planned to use the money from the active travel fund to deliver a contra-flow cycle lane on Montagu Street in Kettering.

The consolidated active travel fund will support the development of "further priority schemes" in Corby, Kettering, and Wellingborough, with public consultation planned later this year to help select the next project for delivery.

The council said the funding needed to be "committed" to projects by March 2026, with projects completed by March 2027.

A sum of £7.728m from the local transport grant for 2025-26 - rising to £54m by 2029-30 - can be used for road maintenance, safety upgrades and traffic signal improvements.

However, it cannot be used "for major new road or rail projects".

Earlier this week the government announced funding for a series of major road and rail projects.

Although there were none in Northamptonshire the Department for Transport said the A509 Isham bypass and dualling the A43 between Northampton and Kettering were "under consideration", meaning they may qualify for funding in three to five years.