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.
Project information
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.
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.
A421 road closures will take place overnight on weeknights only.
We will keep westbound closures to a minimum by using 24-hour temporary traffic lights on Bedford Road and a reduced speed limit on the A421.
There will be no closures over Black Friday, Christmas and New Year, Easter, and the early May bank holiday.
A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet
We’re proposing to upgrade the A428 between the A1 Black Cat roundabout and the A428 Caxton Gibbet roundabout with a new 10-mile dual carriageway.
Both existing roundabouts will be upgraded to modern, free-flowing junctions with a new junction at Cambridge Road.
This will improve journeys between Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, bringing communities together and supporting long term growth in the region. Construction is due to start towards the end of the year with the road opening in 2026.
Other works
We recently laid new, skid-resistant surfacing on the slip roads of the A421 at the Barford Road A4280 interchange.
We are currently clearing vegetation at various locations on the A421 south of Bedford, using lane closures.
In January we will be upgrading the A421 Salford Road junction by the M1 to add capacity
Documents

Traffic information
Information about scheduled roadworks and events on our motorways and major roads.X
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