CONFIRMED: Here's when a controversially delayed 'relief road' in Northampton will OPEN

Sandy Lane, situated between Duston and Harpole, has been closed to thousands of motorists since June 2023 for reconstruction as part of a broader initiative to build hundreds of new homes in the area.

Exclusive drone footage by Duston resident Clare Malings reveals the latest progress on the road.

Originally, the northern section of the Sandy Lane Relief Road (SLRR) was slated to open on April 1. However, on April 11, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) announced that the opening was postponed due to 'unauthorised works' by an unspecified developer. WNC confirmed that neither Miller Homes nor Vistry, the developers of the two housing estates along Sandy Lane, were responsible for these works.

In May, WNC Leader Councillor Adam Brown told this newspaper that the northern section would open at the end of June, which is this week, via a temporary link connecting on to the old Sandy Lane until the southern section of the relief road is sorted.

Leader of WNC, Councillor Adam Brown has confirmed that the northern section of the road will open on Friday (June 28).

Councillor Brown said: “There have been no further delays as things stand so we remain on course for Friday at the latest.”

Regarding the southern section of the road, WNC recently said that 'positive discussions' are ongoing with Homes England, the owner of the land surrounding the final stretch of the relief road, which will ultimately connect to the A4500. Councillor Adam Brown said: “The discussions are progressing well and the southern section is still planned to open before the end of 2024.”

Cheryl Barnett, owner of Sandy Lane Plants, has revealed the delays to the road opening continues to have a negative effect on her business.

Cheryl's business has faced significant challenges over the past year due to the construction, including multiple changes to the access road by Miller Homes. She has been told multiple times by both the developer and WNC that there will be no financial compensation.

She expressed her frustration, saying: “They’re still not telling me if they’re keeping a temporary road open, which provides access to Sandy Lane Plants. They’re talking about diverting my customers through the new Norwood Quarter development. I’ve said no, they can’t do that. They’re killing me. They can’t change access to me again. My season’s already done. I took £5 in total on Friday, a sunny day in June. People don’t know how to get here still.”