Heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) will be banned from passing through Towcester town centre in Northamptonshire from May 2026 under new restrictions introduced by National Highways. A 7.5-tonne weight limit will be enforced on a section of the A5, requiring large vehicles to use a newly constructed bypass instead.
Details of the Restriction
The weight limit will be implemented via a temporary traffic regulation order (TTRO), preventing vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from travelling through Towcester on the A5. National Highways states that this measure aims to reduce noise, improve air quality, and create a safer, more welcoming environment in the town centre. Signage will be installed to clearly direct drivers to the new link road.
Community and Council Responses
Towcester Town Council has advised that the TTRO is part of wider improvement works National Highways is developing for the A5 through Towcester. These improvements include new signage, shared-use paths for pedestrians and cyclists, new controlled crossing points, and resurfacing. The council noted that National Highways will make every effort to minimise disruption, though unforeseen circumstances or adverse weather may cause changes.
Andrew Jinks, Midlands Regional Director at National Highways, explained that the completion of Persimmon's relief road enables the weight restriction. He said: "This is the first phase of National Highways' work to address some of those concerns and find a solution to reduce the number of heavy vehicles travelling along the A5 every day." Future work will also aim to make Towcester's high street an attractive place to visit and preserve the town's rich history and identity.
Councillor Richard Butler of West Northamptonshire Council welcomed the development: "We've worked with the developer and National Highways to ensure they were able to deliver the new relief road, which will indeed be a relief for people living and working in Towcester town centre."
