20-10-2025 Update:
re: https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/people/major-northampton-railway-station-redevelopment-could-be-another-bus-station-fiasco-warns-councillor-5361602 and https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/business/construction-begins-on-217-new-homes-in-busy-residential-road-in-northampton-residents-remain-worried-about-traffic-chaos-5364720
Northampton is a large town, geographically central to England and a major logistics hub. You would have thought it logical to have radial rail links to and from the vicinity. Past mistakes of the 1960's closed local and regional rail links, whilst Whitehall supported London overspill new-towns like Milton Keynes and bolted onto existing places like Northampton.
However, the loss of local rail links meant a heavy reliance on new road construction and use with urban concentrates of heavy traffic congestion, even with bypasses.
1. Will the Ransome Road/Delapre Estate be mostly 'social housing' or des-res. Even if we side-stp suitability, will these new residents welcome trains at the end of their gardens if either a Northampton-Bedford or Peterborough rail link was pursued?
2. To build without regards to the acceptability and accommodation of a rail corridor, shows that keeping options open when so much commends for these rail links on a wide front, seems very short sighted and a cynical use of 'politics'.
A third question can be regarding Railway Station use of railway lands for non-rail development, again, at a current time when Northampton is experiencing growth of passenger and freight by rail demand, requiring more tracks for more trains, shows a lack of foresight and pandering to populism, rather than consideration for the strategic 'greener' transport links which could make a significant contribution to the local economy, environment and social capital of the town centre and areas (including access by rail to the Brackmills Industrial Estate) they would serve. Alas, all is being lost and trashed for short-term expediency. With development, people and goods need rail choices, to trash that or thwart growth and expansion by building on rail land, you throw away capability for rail-based growth and accommodation.
BRTA has made these matters known to the West Northants Council, West Northampton Development Corporation. We have been up and down hill on these projects and Bedford-Northampton, even bypassing Olney on new-build, was studied to the degree that it went before the Secretary of State for Transport in 2004 and saying "it has no business case" is head-in-sand as numerous consultants found there to be a good case.
So, unsustainable development, compromising former radial rail routes, will throw more compounding congestion to Northampton roads and lock-in the worsening scenario. We have made elected representatives 'aware' and leadership and intervention is called for to prioritise protecting rail access corridors and seeing the rail potential gains on and off the rails, and tailoring development to the tune that we don't throw proverbial 'babies' out with proverbial '#bathwaters'! That is what is happening currently, and at the 11th hour, BRTA appeals for reconsideration. Otherwise our elected representatives may flounder at the ballot box, but damage will be done and evermore difficult decisions will have to be made amidst rising costs for inaction and misadventure putting proverbial carts before the proverbial horses!
https://westnorthants.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s22968/Appendix+1+West+Northamptonshire+Local+Transport+Plan+2025.pdf
I did look at the local plan, too much to wade through, glad it mentions B2N and we can say to responses to it M2MH should be kept under review as a strategic link via MK and Northampton with the East Midlands and vice versa.
On Northampton-Wellingborough, we don't support it notwithstanding seeing a proper evaluative engineering (practicals) of how it links with the slow lines east side of MML? EEH have a study supporting Northampton-Peterborough:
Long docs are not my forte, I have not got it in me unless clear sections on rail or I get referenced pages to look at.
What I can offer as a strategic passer on, is to encourage responses to it via email. I cc Simon Barber to that end who does a good job on such responses. Thank you.
Agenda for forth-coming Northampton Forum - which can plan a 2026 public meeting at the Quakers sometime like March? Please respond to these outlets and liaise with us for coordinated action.
Please see also:
BRTA Northampton Forum Agenda
8 November at the
Cordwainer for 2pm lunch and 3-5pm business.
https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/the-cordwainer-northampton/
1.
Someone to chair the meeting*
2.
Someone to record notes
3.
Northampton - Market Harborough
4.
Northampton - Bedford
5.
Roade Station
6.
Brackmills Branch
7.
How we take things forward:
a.
Growing a team/recruitment
b.
Delegating to locals
c.
Trackbed watch
d.
Business case making
e.
Winning people over
8. More freight
by rail
9. Illusive Old
Oak Common via a new Aylesbury Link
10. Any Other
Business: Local plans for example
11. 2026 Day,
Date, Time, and Place of next meeting
●
From above: Simon not to chair meetings.
● Councils, Businesses, and
other outlets with public need stirring to action.
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