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Emergency works ensure no repeat of bus chaos

Emergency changes have been made to the road layout in Northampton after the opening of the new Northgate Bus station caused chaos.

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Full statement from Northampton councils on bus station chaos

Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire County Council say they're doing their best to solve the problems with the new bus station.

"We have been working throughout the day at North Gate bus station to identify the issues that have caused today's traffic gridlock in Northampton and to resolve them.

"Things worked well during the rush hour today and so we need to find out why the traffic became gridlocked as the day wore on. Northampton Borough Council, Northamptonshire County Council and the bus companies have been on the scene trying to get things moving again and discover what the issues are as well as getting traffic moving as quickly as we can.

– Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire County Council

"We are looking at the traffic management plans as a matter of urgency to ensure that there is no repeat of the problems we have seen today.

"We knew that there would be teething problems as there are bound to be with any such major project and we acknowledge that these were major. We apologise to all the motorists and bus passengers who were caught up in the delays today and we thank them and acknowledge their concerns."

– Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire County Council

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Pictures: Gridlock in Northampton as new bus station has an opening day to forget

Buses queued for hours. Credit: Heart Four Counties Radio

Northampton's new North Gate interchange is the £7 million replacement for the old Greyfriars bus station - often described as one of the country's ugliest buildings.

However, on the first working day of the new facility, there was travel chaos in the town centre as buses queued to access the site.

It was gridlock in Northampton today. Credit: Heart Four Counties Radio

Delays of up to two hours were reported and police were called in an attempt to control traffic.

Read more: Northampton comes to a standstill on first working day of new bus station

Northampton comes to a standstill on first working day of town's new £7 million bus station

Northampton town centre is gridlocked. Credit: ITV News Anglia

There is severe congestion in Northampton town centre today on the first working day of the town's new £7 million bus station.

The new North Gate station started running services this morning.

Many of the town's roads are gridlocked as buses queue to get into the new facility.

"We are currently on the scene at the bus station to find out what is happening and to get the area moving again as quickly as possible," said David Mackintosh, Leader of Northampton Borough Council.

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