Rushden Lakes Highway Works

Challenge

SLR has provided transport planning and highways advice on behalf of LXB (RP) Rushden Ltd for the delivery of a large retail park on land which includes over 81 hectares of nature reserve, classified as S.S.S.I. The scheme achieved consent for 31,500 sqm of A1 retail in addition to a Garden Centre, restaurants, a 112 bedroom hotel, a Leisure/Health Club, and a drive through Costa Coffee.

Planning consent was achieved in October 2012 for Rushden Lakes Retail Park. The permission was subsequently “Called In” and approved at Public Inquiry in June 2014. The scheme involved the delivery of a new pedestrian footbridge over the A45 dual carriageway with wider benefits to the local community in removing the severance provided by the A45 between the site and the town of Rushden, Northamptonshire.

Solution

In achieving planning consent, the scheme will involve the delivery of major highway improvement works to the Skew Bridge Roundabout and a pedestrian/cycle footbridge across the A45 dual carriageway. This was agreed following extensive discussions with the Highways Agency and Northamptonshire County Council.

The site will be served by a dedicated bus service, with the reinstatement of the Bailey Bridge across the River Nene and the improvement of footpaths within the site providing greater legibility and access between Rushden and into neighbouring villages and tourist attractions such as Stanwick Lakes.

Impact

The SSSI will be integrated with the retail scheme to promote increased ‘dwell time’ by visitors and the combined retail and leisure destination will include a visitors’ centre, a marina and boathouse, footpaths and cycle routes through the SSSI. LXB is in discussions with the Wildlife Trust about taking on the long term management of the remainder of the SSSI for future generations.