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Local Transport Plan approved without Farthinghoe bypass
17/03/2025
The Parish Council believes mitigation schemes should only considered as interim measures
A new Local Transport Plan has been approved for West Northamptonshire without a bypass for Farthinghoe. Villagers have been told that plans for a bypass “do not stack up” and are not deliverable due to a lack of funding.
Instead the plan refers to an “A422 Farthinghoe traffic mitigation scheme” with a target date for implementation before 2030. A report to councillors noted that work was continuing to identify a preferred option for the scheme.
The decision will come as a blow for Farthinghoe residents who have long campaigned for heavy traffic to be rerouted away from the narrow main road through their village.
Farthinghoe Parish Council Chairman Mick Morris was at a meeting of the Council last Thursday. He presented a petition from villagers and road users and noted they would not give up on the idea of a bypass, but would work with the council for a short term solution.
Mr Morris said: “Until such time that the Farthinghoe bypass becomes financially viable, Farthinghoe Parish Council will continue to work with West Northants Council to identify suitable mitigation schemes, including a weight restriction.
“However, it is our fundamental belief that these mitigation schemes should only be interim measures and do not constitute a long term solution.”
Councillor Ian McCord questioned the decision not to include a Farthinghoe bypass in the plan, when the council appeared able to find money for other Northampton highways projects.
He said: “It’s lacking political will and there’s no other explanation for not moving that forward.
“we’ve wasted over £1n doing surveys and things to lead people to the top of the hill to lead them back down again.”
But Councillor Anthony Baggot-Webb said mitigation measures were needed in the plan, whatever future decisions might be taken in relation to a bypass, due to the timescales involved.
He said: “Even if the bypass were to be approved, it will be at least five years before anything actually happened. Between now and then urgent action is required to make that pinch point safe.”
The new Local Transport Plan was approved with 64 councillors in favour and 3 abstaining.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam