Barriers on the route to the M1 come down, after two years.
A major A-road from Newport Pagnell to the M1 motorway finally re-opened this morning, more than a year later than originally planned.
The A509, which connects towns and villages to the north east of Milton Keynes to the motorway, had a ‘soft’ opening at 5am today in readiness for the expected thousands of vehicles heading for the M1 and MK.
When the road was closed to traffic in September 2023 it was originally scheduled for nine months. But expanding work in the area – which will be the site of 5000 new homes – plus ‘severe weather conditions’ were blamed, leading to delays of more than a year.
Residents and businesses have suffered as a result of the closure while car commuters have endured 24 months of delays and diversions, but local officials say they are pleased the route has finally been opened up.
“It will make a huge difference to the local businesses for a start because they have struggled as they have not had trade coming in from the motorway,” said Newport Pagnell South ward councillor Jane Carr.
“It will be a relief to the town to feel as though it can get out. Because we just feel as though we have been landlocked.”
