Early work to begin on A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements
To facilitate early construction activities, overnight closures during the week are scheduled on the A421 between between the Black Cat roundabout and Renhold junction from Monday 2 October
Early preparation work is set to begin next week on National Highways highly anticipated A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements, which will improve journeys between Milton Keynes, Bedford, St Neots, and Cambridge.
To facilitate early construction activities, overnight closures during the week are scheduled on the A421 between between the Black Cat roundabout and Renhold junction from Monday 2 October. This will allow National Highways to install 40mph speed restrictions, roadworks signs, safety barriers, narrow lanes, speed cameras, and CCTV.
National Highways will also reconstruct the existing central reservation into a running lane, which will keep two lanes open to traffic on the A421 eastbound throughout construction.
Discussing the type of activity people will begin to see over the coming months, Gareth Moores – National Highways Programme Manager – said: “These are the first steps as we work towards full construction. As well as the installation of CCTV, speed cameras and safety barriers, you will also see us reconstructing the central reservation on the A421 eastbound to create room to keep two lanes of traffic moving throughout main construction.
“While it won't always be possible to completely avoid some short-term delays and congestion, we have looked at lots of different scenarios and outcomes to keep traffic moving as much as possible during construction. I know from speaking to local people and businesses there is overwhelming support and anticipation for the start of construction, so I am delighted that we are now starting to see positive progress and our plans are soon to become reality.”
Main construction on the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements – which will help transform the region, improving journeys between Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge - is expected to start before the end of the year.
National Highways plans will see the creation of a new 10-mile dual carriageway linking the A1 Black Cat roundabout in Bedfordshire to the Caxton Gibbet roundabout on the A428 in Cambridgeshire. Both existing roundabouts will be upgraded into modern, free-flowing junctions with a new junction added at Cambridge Road, improving access to St Neots and its train station.
The improvements will help drivers save up to an hour-and-a-half on their journeys every week.
The scheme is expected to open to traffic in 2027.
The overnight closures will take place in two phases:
Phase 1 (9pm to 6am)
- Monday 2 to Thursday 5 October 2023 (Eastbound)
Phase 2 (9pm to 6am)
- Monday 23 to Tuesday 24 October 2023 (Eastbound)
- Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 October 2023 (Westbound)
The diversion route will see eastbound traffic diverted via the A603 at Cardington and A1 northbound to join the A1 at Black Cat Roundabout. A421 westbound traffic will follow the same route in reverse.
National Highways will be hosting a number of public information events in the coming months, which are an opportunity to meet the team delivering the scheme and learn more about what they are up to. Locations, dates and times can be found here.
Notes to Editors
National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.
Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.
For further information please contact National Highways' press office (24hrs) on 0844 693 1448 and select the most appropriate option:
Option 1: National enquiries (9am to 5.30pm) and out of hours for urgent enquiriesOption 2: North West (9am to 5.30pm)Option 3: Yorkshire and North East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 4: West Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 5: East Midlands (9am to 5.30pm)Option 6: East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 7: South East (9am to 5.30pm)Option 8: South West (9am to 5.30pm)
