Home / Business and Economy / HS2 Road Closure Sparks Outrage: Safety Audit Delays Reopening
HS2 Road Closure Sparks Outrage: Safety Audit Delays Reopening
5 Jan
Summary
- Radstone Road closure by HS2 indefinitely delayed due to safety audit.
- Original reopening date mid-December now pushed to mid-February.
- HS2 cites safety concerns after audit found road not yet safe.
Part of Radstone Road in Northamptonshire, closed since early November for realignment, faces an indefinite delay in reopening. Initially slated to open by mid-December, HS2 has announced a revised target of mid-February, citing critical safety concerns identified during a recent audit. The road realignment is part of a larger project to install an overbridge south of Radstone village.
HS2's safety auditor advised that the current road alignment and transition to the new structure are not safe for public use. The exact remedial work required is still being determined, with a detailed reassessment scheduled for the new year. This marks the second such issue, following similar problems discovered on a bridge over the A43 a few months prior.
Locals, including parish councillors, are expressing frustration and urging direct complaints to HS2 Ltd. Concerns have also been raised about the local council's accountability in challenging HS2's project management. HS2 aims to improve journeys between London and Birmingham, but the overall project completion date, originally targeted for 2033, is now uncertain.
