West Northamptonshire Council was recently a contributor to the University of Northampton Sustainability Summit 2023 and the document this summit agreed upon is known as the Northampton Sustainability Accord. You can read it here:
https://www.northampton.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/northampton-sustainability-accord-2023.pdf
It sets out a series of principles by which we can move toward a more sustainable Northampton. Let me draw your attention to one part of the accord:
‘Resource Mobilisation: Stakeholders will explore opportunities for resource mobilisation, including securing funding, grants, and partnerships, to support the implementation of sustainability initiatives. They will jointly pursue external funding sources and leverage their networks to attract financial and technical assistance.’
Good words. We have several sustainability challenges in Northampton relating to Transport so I thought I would put together my own accord that specifies some areas in which the council could seek to honour the Northampton Sustainability Accord:
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We the undersigned agree that, in response to article 7 of the Northampton Sustainability Accord, we will seek out funding, expertise and develop networks in pursuit of the below aims.
– Develop an interconnected cycle network within Northampton that includes a cycle thoroughfare into the centre of town. This cycle network will follow the standards as set out in the government report Gear Change (2020).
– Seek funding to install Zebra crossings/continuous pavements on urban junctions within West Northamptonshire
– Commit to a 20mph speed limit on all roads within the centre of Northampton, Daventry, Towcester and Brackley.
– Commit to moving toward a municipal bus service for the people of West Northamptonshire that aims to serve the needs of people rather than for the purposes of profit.
– In the short term, work with Stagecoach to develop a bus map for Northampton town with identifiable bus stop names.
– Lobby government to maintain the bus fare cap.
– Commit to free bus travel on weekends in December.
– Commit to pedestrianising streets in the centre of Northampton e.g. St Giles Street and commit to trialing car free periods for example on Park(ing) Day 15th September.
– Seek funding for feasibility studies to be carried out on the reopening of Northampton to Market Harborough and Northampton to Bedford former railway lines.
– Commission a travel survey for Northampton that identifies how cars utilize the roads.
Signatories:
Peter Doveston (Northants Streets Campaign)
Jane Wood (Chair of Climate Action West Northants)
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If you want to sign my accord then please let me know in the comments and I will add your name.
The Northampton Streets Campaign 
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