Preparation work will begin next week on the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvement scheme designed to improve journey times between Milton Keynes, Bedford, St Neots, and Cambridge. 

Overnight closures have been scheduled on the A421 between between the Black Cat roundabout and the Renhold junction from Monday, October 2.

This work 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.” 

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 scheme is expected to open to traffic in 2027.   

The overnight closures will take place in two phases: 

Phase 1 (9pm to 6am) on Monday, October 2 to Thursday, October 5, (Eastbound) 

Phase 2 (9pm to 6am) o Monday, October 23 to Tuesday, October 24, (Eastbound) 

Wednesday, October 25 to Friday, October 27 (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 deliveing the scheme and learn more about what they are up to. Information about locations, dates and times can be found on the agency's website.