Bypass scheme before Northamptonshire county councillors

A scheme to build a £45m bypass for three villages on the A45 in Northamptonshire is going before councillors next week.

The plans for the road between Daventry and Northampton could provide a bypass for the villages of Flore, Upper Heyford and Weedon.

A public consultation showed support for a 3.7 mile (5.9km) bypass west of the M1 junction 16.

If the scheme is backed by councillors, officers will seek funding.

A business case will be drawn up - which will include details of how private firms can help fund the scheme - and this will be put before county councillors.

'Reduce traffic'

Andre Gonzalez De Savage, county council cabinet member for infrastructure, said: "The A45 improvement link is a key priority for the county council and has been for a number of years."

The scheme would alleviate traffic pressure and boost economic development, he said.

A council spokesman added: "As well as reducing traffic flow in the villages the road is crucial for development in the Daventry area.

He said the project could be funded through private developers as well as from the government.

A meeting of the county council's cabinet will discuss the plans on 15 January.