Building a dual carriageway the length of the A43 between Kettering and Northampton is set to move a step closer – helping to relieve congestion and improve journey times, according to North Northamptonshire Council.

So far, the stretch of the A43 between the Round Spinney roundabout and the newly built Overstone Grange roundabout has been dualled, with work taking place in three phases between 2015 and 2020.

A proposal before North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive next week outlines how the next phase – known as Phase three – would see the dual carriageway continue from Overstone Grange to the Holcot/Sywell roundabout.

While the first phases are in the West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) area, this next stage crosses over the border from WNC into North Northamptonshire.

Because the scheme crosses the boundary, it is proposed that it is jointly developed by the two councils and, as the majority of the scheme lies within West Northamptonshire, it is recommended that WNC is the lead authority, with appropriate involvement and funding from NNC.

As such, a report before North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive next week proposes the council signs a Memorandum of Understanding with neighbouring West Northamptonshire Council to develop this next phase.

Dualling the length of the A43 is a priority major road scheme for both councils; bringing so many benefits through having a great connection between our two largest towns.

Congestion is reduced along with journey times, making commuting easier and more attractive and the whole local economy gets invigorated by making it easier to move goods and services about. Hopefully, rat-running on unsuitable roads in nearby villages will also be reduced.

I’m delighted to be moving forward with our neighbouring local authority and working together to make this next phase of the wider scheme a reality.Cllr Graham Lawman, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Highways, Travel and Assets

I welcome these next steps in a vital infrastructure project for the area and look forward to seeing this work begin.

A better connected North Northamptonshire is so important for everyone and this scheme is heading in the right direction.Cllr Jason Smithers, Leader of the Council