The campaign to secure a brown tourism sign for Northamptonshire on the M1 has reached a significant milestone after West Northamptonshire Council’s Highways team confirmed the proposal meets the required eligibility criteria. The proposal has also received the council’s endorsement ahead of its submission to National Highways.
The On The Map Northamptonshire campaign said the application for a brown tourist sign at Junction 15 of the M1 will be submitted to National Highways by project lead John Henderson this week, marking the latest stage in the approvals process.
The campaign traces its roots back two years, when Philippa and Anna Jeyes of Jeyes of Earls Barton, John Henderson and Sara Penrose of Sara Penrose Ltd attended an NNBN visit to the Houses of Parliament. During the visit, the four began discussing the idea of securing a brown tourism sign for Northamptonshire. That conversation has since grown into a county-wide collaboration involving businesses, tourism organisations, local authorities and elected representatives.
Today, the campaign includes support from organisations including Discover Northamptonshire, Delapré Abbey, NNBN, West Northamptonshire Council, North Northamptonshire Council and Northampton South MP Mike Reader. The proposed sign would direct motorists towards Northamptonshire and highlight the county as a visitor destination.
John Henderson said: “This is an important milestone for the project. We’ve spent a great deal of time ensuring the proposal meets the required criteria and reflects the support it has received from organisations across Northamptonshire. Confirmation that the proposal meets the eligibility criteria set by West Northamptonshire Council’s Highways team, together with the council’s endorsement, means we can now submit it to National Highways. There’s still work to do, but this enables the proposal to progress to the next stage of the approvals process.”
Members of the campaign met at Jeyes of Earls Barton to mark the milestone before turning their attention to the next phase of the project.
As the application progresses, the campaign’s focus will now turn to raising the funds needed to deliver the scheme should it receive final approval.
Anna Jeyes said: “As the application moves forward, our attention turns to fundraising. This has always been a community project and we’d love businesses, organisations and residents to help us take the next step. Every contribution will help us move closer to making the sign a reality.”
Businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the fundraising campaign are invited to contact the group via email at hello@northamptonshireonthemap.co.uk.
If approved by National Highways and fully funded, the sign would be installed on the northbound approach to Junction 15 of the M1. The campaign hopes it will encourage more visitors to stop in Northamptonshire, strengthen the county’s visitor economy and raise awareness of the attractions, heritage and experiences the county has to offer. Main image
