Architect: Quartet Design Ltd
Client: English Partnerships and Northamptonshire County Council
Contractor: Bardon Construction

Brief
Northampton is undertaking a major urban extension to provide up to 1,200 new energy-efficient homes and substantial commercial floor space. The scheme will also provide a range of facilities such as a primary school, a country park, playing fields, neighbourhood shops and interpretation and local centres.

To create a new access road off Weedon Road plus a new link road and junction improvements. Also to refurbish the surrounding infrastructure with hard landscaping to the central reservation, improved bus-stops and pedestrian crossings, tree planting and new street lighting. High quality natural materials were specified, providing a durable installation and a design statement.

Solution
A combination of Sandstone and Yorkstone setts were used at pedestrian crossings providing interest and visual signposts. Aggregate Industries also supplied 4 km of Granite kerb and provided technical and logistical back up.

David Newman, Partner, Quartet Design Ltd. said: “Our overall requirement was to achieve an urban character and quality to an existing unrestricted dual carriageway in a ‘countryside’ location. The materials were selected to achieve a high quality finish, to make pedestrian areas relevant and to differentiate between pedestrian and vehicular activity in a positive way. The durability and longevity of the materials were influential in their specification.”