Council admits they didn't 'fully appreciate' impact of A6 and A43 closures which caused major jams
North Northants Council has admitted they didn’t fully appreciate the impact planned works would have on drivers after sections of the A6 and A43 were shut on the same day.
Motorists using the A6 Rothwell-Desborough bypass and the A43 between Kettering and Corby reported being stuck in long queues leading to frustration and anger this week.
North Northants Council highways department scheduled the roadworks for the half term holidays to lessen the impact for road users but the day-time closures still resulted in huge delays for businesses and residents.
A spokesman for North Northants Council said: “We would like to thank everyone for their patience whilst we closed the A43 for essential maintenance works.
“Road closures are necessary for the safety of workforce, residents and drivers. To reduce the impact of disruption we always try to utilise school holidays when traffic levels are lower as much as possible.
“Unfortunately, on this occasion, whilst planning in the works we did not fully appreciate the impact they would have on the wider network. We took the decision to cancel the planned maintenance works on the A43 on Thursday, October 29, and reopened the A6.
"The works on the A43 will now continue on Friday 30, under a closure between 9.30am and 3.30pm, and continue on Monday, November 2 with lane closures only. Across both these dates, the A6 will be open as normal.”