A421 Wootton to Marston Moretaine noise barrier and streetlight work
We’re replacing 1,500 metres (1 mile) of noise barrier on the A421 between Wootton and Marston Moretaine. This will reduce road noise and glare from local network roads. We’re also replacing the existing lights with energy-efficient LED lighting to reduce our carbon emissions and save the taxpayer money by lowering electricity costs.
Latest updates
-
08 April 2025
Upcoming closures for April 2025
Works will restart on the A421 end of April, a new noise barrier at Lower Shelton, along the A421 westbound.
Our work began in October 2022 following removal of the old A421 noise barrier. Work will now include installation of concrete beams to fit the new noise fence panels. Once complete, residents should experience less noise from this busy road.
The final phase of the work will begin on Monday 28 April until October 2025
We’ll work weeknights only between 8pm and 6am, weather permitting.
Closures and diversions
To work safely, we will need to close the A421 in two phases with traffic diverted as detailed below:
Beancroft Road and Bedford Road - Monday 28 April to Saturday 5 July
If you need to travel on Bedford Road:
- from Beancroft Road head onto the A421 eastbound to Marsh Leys Interchange.
- at Marsh Leys Interchange, take the third exit onto Woburn Road
While Bedford Road is closed, there will be a lane 1 clourse on the A421 westbound
A421 westbound from Marsh Leys Interchange to Marston Moretaine - Monday 7 July to Saturday 11 October 2025
If you need to use the A421 eastbound:
- exit the A421 at Marsh Leys Interchange
- onto Woburn Road and continue onto Bedford Road
- join the A421 westbound at Marston Moretaine
-
11 February 2025
Work restarts in April
We’ve been replacing 1,500 metres (1 mile) of noise barrier fencing on the A421 between Wootton and Marston Moretaine. This will help reduce road noise and glare from local roads.
We’ll install the last 400 meters of fence westbound for our final section of work. We'll start in April and finish in August 2025.
For safety, we'll need local road closures and lane closures throughout the work. We'll publish details on this page shortly.
-
02 February 2024
The final phase of work
The final section of this work is the longer, westbound stretch of the A421. We expect to begin this work in May.
We plan to complete this scheme in August 2024.
To work safely, we'll need to close the motorway and slip roads at various locations. Please remember that closure details can change at short notice. For the most up-to-date information on dates, times and locations, check our daily closures page.
Diversion routes will be clearly signposted. Please don't follow your satnav during any closure and check your journey before you travel.
If you have any queries about this work, please contact us by email: info@nationalhighways.co.uk or call 0300 123 5000.
Project information
Overview
We’ll replace all sections of noise barrier at Lower Shelton, Wootton and Marston Moretaine with steel posts and composite panels.
The new fence will remove glare from local roads, reduce road noise and the view of traffic from nearby housing.
We’re also replacing the existing lights with energy-efficient LED lighting to reduce our carbon emissions and save the taxpayer money by lowering electricity costs.
Benefits
The composite panels of the new barrier will be made from recycled waste material, reducing plastics going to landfill and noise along the A421.
The new barrier will have a life span of 30 years or more. It will also reduce the risk of glare from the A421 onto local roads.
We’re also replacing the existing lights with energy-efficient LED lighting to reduce our carbon emissions and save the taxpayer money by lowering electricity costs.
Documents
Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.Sign up for updates!
Keep up to date with what's happening on this scheme by signing up to our updates.
