The legal challenge is over

Great news!

On Thursday 18 May, the Court of Appeal refused Transport Action Network’s (TAN) application to appeal the refusal of permission for a judicial review of the Secretary of State’s decision to grant the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements a Development Consent Order (formal planning permission).

We are pleased to say this means that the legal process is now over, and we can start working towards full construction.

What happens now?

Unfortunately, the legal challenge has disrupted our construction timetable and the start of work has been delayed.

We are keen to get started as soon as possible, so you will see us continue preparatory works including archaeology, environmental surveys and diverting utilities as we get ready for full construction.

We are continuing to work closely with local authorities, parish councils and community groups to ensure that there is minimum disruption for road users and those who live locally when the project moves into construction.

We plan to move into full construction by the end of the year and expect the road to open in 2027.

Our continued commitment

We firmly stand by our plans that the scheme will help transform the region, improving journeys between Milton Keynes, Bedford, St Neots and Cambridge by bringing communities together and supporting long-term regional growth.

Before Christmas we held a series of public information events, attended by over 1500 people, and the overwhelming feedback was positive towards the improvements from local people, road users and our stakeholders.  We will host more public information events over the summer and into autumn so you can come meet us before we move into full construction. Watch this space for more details.

We are committed to working with the community and being a good neighbour, so our construction work reduces its impact on local people and road users as much as possible. We are focusing on what counts to road users and the local community, such as:

• having a local point of contact. We have a community liaison team based on site, providing regular updates to local people.
• a clear programme of work, communicated in advance, that is planned with the community and road user in mind.
• a clear traffic management plan for all stages of work that minimises impacts on local roads.
• carrying out construction work so that it has minimal noise impact on local people.