Highways Agency (East Midlands)

People living in Northampton are invited to find out more about a proposed new £1.7million bridge crossing the A45 at Blacky More at two public exhibitions next week.

Plans will be on display for a proposed new cycle and footbridge, which will cross the A45 dual carriageway and link the suburbs of Blacky More and Wootton.

The exhibitions will take place on Tuesday 3 June at Wootton Community and Sports Centre at Curtlee Hill, Wootton and Wednesday 4 June at Blacky More Community Centre, Butts Croft Close, Blacky More. On both days the exhibitions will be open between 4pm and 9pm.

The new bridge will cross the A45 at a point between Stratford Drive and London Road on slip road which is about three-quarters of a mile to the south of the Queen Eleanor roundabout.

This location has been proposed as a survey of pedestrian movements showed that this is a location where people wish to cross the road and there is room to construct a bridge in this area.

John Gardner, Highways Agency project manager, said:

"The A45 is a dual carriageway in this location and there are currently no facilities for pedestrians and cyclists to cross. The proposed bridge will provide safe access across the A45, which is especially important, as there are schools on both sides of the dual carriageway.

"Subject to the outcome of the consultation, we are hoping to construct the bridge early next year."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The Highways Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport. We manage, maintain and improve England's motorways and major A roads on behalf of the Secretary of State.

2. Plans and artists impressions of the new bridge are available from the Highways Agency press office.

3. Real -time traffic information for England's motorways and major A roads is now available:

• From our new Traffic Radio service, available on DAB digital radio and the internet at http://www.trafficradio.org.uk To tune into the DAB service, simply press the "scan" button on your radio. The radio will tune into all available channels and you can select the new service by scrolling through the channels until you reach "Traffic Radio".
• On the internet at http://www.highways.gov.uk/trafficinfo
• By phone from the Highways Agency 24-hour voice activated phone service on 08700 660 115. (Calls from BT landlines to 0870 numbers will cost no more than 8p per minute; mobile calls usually cost more).

4. Before using a mobile, find a safe place to park. Never stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway except in an emergency. Make sure it's safe and legal before you call.

5. For more general information about the Highways Agency and its work, visit the Highways Agency website http://www.highways.gov.uk, or telephone the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30 at any time. (Calls to 0845 numbers cost no more than 3p/min from BT residential landlines. Call charges from other landlines and mobile networks may vary)

Safe driving at roadworks

During 2006 two workers were killed and 19 seriously injured in the course of their work on Highways Agency roads.

For the safety of all road users and roadworkers, when you are approaching roadworks:

• Keep within the speed limit - it is there for your safety.
• Get into the correct lane in good time - don't keep switching.
• Concentrate on the road ahead, not the roadworks.
• Be alert for works' traffic leaving or entering roadworks.
• Keep a safe distance - there could be queues in front.
• Observe all signs - they are there to help you.

Issued on behalf of the Highways Agency by COI News & PR East Midlands