Safety fears after people seen trying to cross construction site at Chowns Mill

Pedestrians and cyclists are being urged to use the free shuttle bus to get safely over the A45/A6 Chowns Mill roundabout after people were seen trying to cross the construction site.

The free bus service is running 24/7 while work takes place on Highways England’s £24 million upgrade of the heavily-congested junction near Irthlingborough.

To ensure people’s safety, all footpaths through the roundabout have been closed while the work takes place.

However, members of the public have attempted to cross the construction site and busy A45 dual carriageway.

Last week two youths were spotted by the traffic management team crossing the junction late at night having scaled the barriers.

The shuttle bus was called to take them safely through the junction.

Highways England construction assurance manager, Dave Marlow, said: “Entering any construction site is dangerous and especially one where there is live traffic, people are putting themselves at risk unnecessarily.

“Safety is the number one priority for us and we have closed the footways to keep members of the public safe.

"All are clearly signed as closed and we have barriers and fencing in place too.

"The only safe way to cross the Chowns Mill junction by foot or cycle is to use the free shuttle bus which we have provided.”

The shuttle bus can be called by using a clearly-signed call button at the pick-up and drop-off points, which are located at the following locations around the junction:

- Station Road (A5028) Higham Ferrers

- West Street, Stanwick

- A6 Nene Park

- Chowns Mill Business Park

To comply with COVID19 safety measures the shuttle bus has a screen installed and is cleaned after each journey.

Passengers must follow Government advice and use a face covering.

The improvements to the roundabout will see the junction redesigned in a half hamburger layout including a new link road connecting the A6 South and A5028 with the existing roundabout.

All approaching roads will also be widened to provide extra lanes and to accommodate more vehicles. 

Once the works are complete, the whole community will also benefit from safer dedicated pedestrian and cycle routes through the junction.

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