The Environment Agency has announced a delay to the reopening of a section of the A361, following a request by Northamptonshire County Council to amend the design of the highway.
Northamptonshire County Council closed the A361 Banbury to Daventry road (north of junction 11 on the M40) so that the Environment Agency could carry out improvement works to reduce the risk of road flooding. This work is part of a wider flood alleviation scheme being constructed to protect Banbury. The Environment Agency's contractors had originally intended to complete this work by early July. However, the reopening of the A361 will now be delayed while the agency holds further discussions with Northamptonshire County Council.
Ian Tomes, Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager said:
“We thank local residents in the surrounding area and regular road users for their patience and understanding. We will continue to work with Northamptonshire County Council to resolve this issue so that we can complete our work on this road as soon as possible.
“While we appreciate that the extended road closures will cause inconvenience, we hope that the long term benefits will far outweigh any problems caused.”
Cllr Andre Gonzalez De Savage, county council cabinet member for transport, highways and infrastructure, said:
"We will continue to work closely with the Environment Agency in our role as highways authority for Northamptonshire to resolve this issue."