Plans for a one-way system on Abington Park Crescent have been dropped after a public consultation revealed widespread opposition to the changes. West Northamptonshire Council confirmed on 7 July 2026 that the westbound-only proposal, part of Phase 3 of the Abington Active Travel scheme, will not go ahead in its current form. The decision follows a consultation that drew nearly 1,000 survey responses, more than 100 letters and emails, and around 350 attendees at a public event, with roughly 90 per cent of participants living in Northampton.
While most respondents backed the scheme’s aim of creating safer, better-connected walking and cycling routes, they said the specific proposals would worsen traffic congestion, strip away on-street parking, cut access to Abington Park, and harm local businesses. Councillor Richard Butler, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said the council had listened. “We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views. We have listened carefully to the feedback and decided not to take forward the one-way proposal,” he said. Residents also pushed for lower speeds and better crossings near Weston Way.
The setback does not halt the wider £4.7 million project, funded by the Active Travel Fund, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and local transport grants. Phase 1, which upgraded junctions at the meeting point of Rushmere Road, Billing Road, Billing Road East, and Park Avenue South, was completed in December 2024. Phase 2 on Park Avenue South and Bridgewater Drive began on 8 June 2026 and is due to finish this autumn, adding new footways and segregated cycle lanes.
The council is now working with Active Travel England to draw up revised Phase 3 proposals, with a fresh set of designs due to be published this autumn. Construction would then start in 2027. The reworked plans will focus on improving road safety at the A4095 Park Avenue South and King Edward Road junction and delivering a joined-up walking and cycling network while keeping traffic disruption to a minimum. Main contractor Kier is carrying out the construction work.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
