Government funding boost for transport projects welcomed by North Northamptonshire Council

27 February 2024

North Northamptonshire Council has welcomed an announcement from Government of a £149.208million funding injection over seven years from 2025/26 for significant improvements to the local transport network.

From 2025, the Local Transport Fund (LTF) will fund a wide range of projects to improve the local transport connections that people rely on every day, particularly across towns, villages, and rural areas.

The funding for North Northamptonshire is part of a wider investment nationally of £4.7billion – announced as part of Network North - with £2.2billion allocated for the Midlands.

The Government will develop guidance to enable local authorities to invest in ambitious transport improvements from 2025 through to 2032 which will:

• drive better connectivity within towns and suburbs
• drive better connectivity between villages and towns
• improve everyday local journeys for people

The money is additional to the funding which was recently announced for the A509 Isham bypass and the A43 dualling between Kettering and Northampton.

This is a very substantial allocation of funds to invest in our highway and transport networks. This money is very welcome indeed and I would like to extend my thanks to the Government. 

With previous funding announcements and assuming we continue to receive existing grants at current levels, this additional funding will bring the total that we will be investing in North Northamptonshire roads to about £418million up to 2034. 

Over the next decade this will allow us to tackle major infrastructure projects, complete more resurfacing of the existing network and develop better connectivity within our towns.

A robust and innovative transport infrastructure is essential to unlock future economic growth and improve journey times for commuters as well as in connecting communities and relieving congestion.Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council

We wait to hear further details from Government about how funding will be allocated and the terms and conditions involved. 

However, the amounts involved suggest that this could allow us to implement many long-desired improvements to our road network, and to implement many of the walking and cycling improvements that we have set out in our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans.Cllr Matt Binley, the Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets

The Council will now start work on publishing plans on how the money will be spent, as is required. Details will appear on the North Northamptonshire Council website in due course.