The A361 is open again to traffic following flood alleviation works over the summer. An 850-metre section of the Banbury to Daventry road, just north of Junction 11 on the M40, was closed in March this year but has now been back in service since last Friday afternoon, October 28.
The surface level of the road has been raised by up to 700mm and culverts installed underneath. This will reduce the frequency of flooding on this stretch of road. It will also allow the highways authorities time to plan an emergency closure if threatened by overspill from the flood storage area that is currently under construction.
The re-opening of the A361, originally planned for July, was delayed after Northamptonshire County Council, which maintains the road, requested amendments to the agreed design. Ian Tomes, Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager, said:
“We know the extended closure has been very frustrating for local people, who have had to put up with more traffic through their villages. We would like to say thank you to them, and anyone else impacted by these works, for their patience. The benefit to Banbury will be significant and we are on track to complete the scheme by the New Year.”