Diversions, closures and speed restrictions

Check this page regularly for the latest updates on road closures, diversions, and speed restrictions

Diversions, closures and speed restrictions

Current closures

20 April to 16 May - A428 overnight closures from St Neots to Eltisley

Closed overnight (8pm-6am) from Monday 20 April to Saturday 16 May 2026 for installation of of new street lighting, signage, and maintenance.

Diversion

  • take A428 towards Wyboston
  • join A1 northbound
  • exit A1 northbound onto A14 at Brampton
  • join A1198 towards Caxton Gibbet

See A428 overnight diversion route.

Weekend closure from 9pm Friday 8 to 5am Monday 11 May 2026 to move A1 southbound carriageway onto a new alignment.
 
Diversion

  • exit A1 at Wyboston Interchange
  • take A428 towards Wyboston
  • take Barford Road rejoining A1 at Tempsford Interchange

See A1 southbound diversion route map.

Weekend closure from 6am Saturday 9 to 6am Monday 11 May 2026.
 
Diversion 

  • take A1198 north towards Papworth Everald
  • exit onto B1040
  • rejoin A428 at Eltisley

See A428 diversion route map.

Overnight closures (9pm to 5am) for earthworks take place close to the carriageway.
 
Diversion

  • take A1 southbound towards Sandy
  • join A603 at Sandy
  • rejoin A421 at Cardington Interchange

 See A421 westbound diversion route map.

Weekend closure from 9pm Friday 15 to 5am Monday 18 May 2026 on A1 northbound between Tempsford and Black Cat, and A421 westbound between Black Cat and Cardington Interchange.
 
Diversion

A1 northbound 

  • exit A1 at Tempsford Interchange onto St Neots Road
  • take A428 towards Wyboston
  • rejoin A1 at Wyboston Interchange

See A1 northbound diversion route map.
 
A421 westbound 

  • take A1 southbound towards Sandy
  • join A603 at Sandy
  • rejoin A421 at Cardington Interchange 

See A421 westbound diversion route map.

Overnight closures (9pm - 5am) on A1 northbound between Tempsford and Wyboston, and A421 eastbound between Renhold and Black Cat.
 
Diversion

A1 northbound 

  • exit A1 at Tempsford Interchange onto St Neots Road
  • take A428 towards Wyboston
  • rejoin A1 at Wyboston Interchange

See A1 northbound diversion route map.
 
A421 westbound

  • exit A421 at Cardington Interchange onto A603
  • take A603 towards Sandy
  • take A1 northbound at Sandy roundabout

See A421 eastbound diversion route map.

Please remember that closures can change at short notice. You can check the latest information on our daily closures page or find live travel information on our Traffic England site. Our travel alerts give details of live incidents on our network.

Long term changes

Black Cat roundabout layout change - 24 November 2025

From Monday 24 November, we'll open new sections of road at Black Cat roundabout, linking with existing road networks. 

A1 southbound

We’re moving the A1 southbound onto a new stretch of road passing under the new east bridge at Black Cat roundabout.

Make sure you’re in the correct lane before you reach the junction:
  • left hand lane for A1 south, A421 or M1
  • right hand lane for A1 north, A421 or M1

A1 northbound

We’re moving the A1 northbound approach onto the new northbound on-slip at Black Cat roundabout.

Make sure you’re in the correct lane before you reach the junction:
  • left hand lane for A421 west and Bedford Road
  • right hand lane for A1 north

Map of Black Cat roundabout layout from November 2025.

From Monday 27 April 2026, we'll move traffic on the A428 onto a new stretch of road, linking with existing road networks. 

These changes will help us build the upgraded junction and a new flyover bridge, which will carry the dual carriageway over the junction.

Traffic in both directions on the A428 (east of Caxton Gibbet) will be moved onto a new stretch of road, connecting directly to the northern roundabout.

Services at Caxton Gibbet will remain open and accessible.

Map of Caxton Gibbet road layout 

Let us know what you think

Use our A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements feedback tool to have your say.

This tool features an interactive map, allowing you to click on specific locations to leave targeted comments or provide general feedback.

ECHO is a one-way feedback tool, so if you'd like a response to your feedback you can email the project team at info@a428.co.uk.

Planning diversions, traffic management and speed limits 

What you can expect to see

The A1, A421, and A428 will mostly stay open while we carry out our work.

There may be some overnight and full weekend closures from time to time. We'll need these for important tasks like:

  • connecting new and existing roads
  • building bridges
  • delivering large pieces of equipment or materials.

We're committed to being a good neighbour. That’s why we’re carefully planning our work to reduce any disruption to drivers and the local community.

Highest safe speed through roadworks

We’ve determined that a temporary speed limit of 40mph is needed to keep both road users and our workers safe.

This reduced speed limit helps junctions function as usual, which means we won’t need to close roads as often

How we choose diversion routes

We're dedicated to ensuring that any traffic diversions around road closures are safe and appropriate. We'll use diversion routes that can handle the type and amount of traffic being redirected.

The diversion routes will mainly follow major A roads to avoid heavy traffic on local streets. We'll work with local authorities to agree on the best routes.

These diversions are required by law, based on the development consent order (similar to our official approval or planning permission).

To minimise disruption, we will manage traffic carefully, providing clear signs and advance warnings to drivers.

 

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