Plans for the Flore/Weedon bypass have moved further forward with the appointment of a contractor to assist in progressing the scheme.
Northamptonshire County Council (NCC), which is behind the bypass officially known as the A45 Daventry Development Link Road, confirmed the news after reports appeared online.
NCC stated the contractor will help progress preparation of the project, but no appointment has yet been made to carry out construction work An NCC spokesman said: “We are fully committed to building the A45 Daventry Development Link Road and are working with partners to bring the scheme forward.
“We have appointed a contractor to assist in progressing the scheme so we can get to a stage where the site is ready for building work to take place.
“However, such is typical with any major project, there are a number of stages which need to be completed before building work can start.
“These include securing all the land that is needed, ensuring all of the finance is in place and securing planning permission.” The online reports states that Balfour Beatty was given the contract, but NCC has not named the firm it has handed the contract to.
The bypass has been called for over the past 50 years by campaigners and will go around the villages of Flore, Weedon and Nether Heyford.
A planning application for the bypass has been submitted and will be determined by NCCs development control committee.
The council has previously stated that work on the road will start in the summer.
The bypass is likely to bring economic benefits to the Daventry district.