Congested roads in Northamptonshire given £7.6m for improvements

Three of Northamptonshire's most congested roads have been given £7.6m of government money to improve them.

Roads near Silverstone, Wellingborough and Towcester will be widened and have traffic lights installed.

The government funding is targeted at areas earmarked for housing developments.

But residents living in Higham Ferrers said they were "disappointed" a roundabout in the town had missed out on the money.

'Proper infra-structure'

The M40 near Silverstone and Brackley will get £1.3m, the A45 on Wilby Way in Wellingborough gets £3.2m and the A43/A5 Tove junction near Towcester gets £3.1m.

Wellingborough Borough Council said it had a large number of housing developments planned including the Stanton Cross project, which could see 3,200 homes built and this would affect traffic.

Tim Allebone, of Wellingborough Council, said: "Sorting out this roundabout, before traffic gets even heavier, is a priority."

However, other roads in the county were missed including Chowns Mill roundabout near Higham Ferrers.

John Farmery, from Chowns Mill Action Group, said: "We were very disappointed but not surprised that our junction was missed.

"All we are asking is that the proper infrastructure be put in place before any of these areas get developed."

Work will start on Wilby Way in 2013 while the M40 and the A43/A5 Tove junction starts in 2014.