A45 closed all weekend between Chowns Mill and Rushden Lakes

Drivers could face delays with the closure of the A45 between Chowns Mill and Rushden Lakes this weekend.

The closure is part of the £24 million scheme to re-design the Chowns Mill roundabout where the A45 meets the A6.

Work started earlier this month and is due for completion winter 2021/22.

This weekend will see the A45 closed eastbound and westbound between Chowns Mill and Rushden Lakes from 8pm tonight (Friday) until 6am on Monday (February 24).

The closures will then be repeated the following weekend from 8pm on Friday, February 28, until 6am on Monday, March 2.

A fully signed diversion route will be in place, directing motorists to use the A45 (Wilby Way), A509 and A14.

Highways England project manager Dean Holloway said: “The weekend closures are needed to install a 1.5m deep and 6m wide trench across both carriageways of the A45 which will allow existing utility services to be diverted before the road construction.

“Safety is always our priority and closing the road is important to protect our workforce and road users.

"We only close roads for safety reasons or if absolutely necessary and do so at night or weekends when we know the routes are quieter to reduce disruption.

“We are grateful for people’s patience as we carry out this important scheme that will greatly improve journeys for the many drivers who use this route as well as benefiting local businesses and communities.”

Highways England is anticipating that Higham Ferrers and Rushden will be busy over the weekends so they are urging drivers to follow the official diversion routes.

They are also encouraging people to allow extra time for their journey if travelling to or from Higham Ferrers and Rushden.

Highways England is working with the management of Rushden Lakes who will be providing extra traffic marshalls over the two weekend closures.

They will also be placing no waiting cones around Crown Way at Waitrose and the A5001 to reduce congestion.

The X46 and X47 Northampton - Rushden - Raunds bus routes will also be affected from Sunday (February 23) until Monday, March 2, with the buses running to a revised timetable and diverting to serve a new temporary stop in Hecham Way.

For more information on the Chowns Mill improvement works, go to https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/chowns-mill-roadworks-everything-you-need-know-1393869