A428 changes revealed as new consultation starts into £1.4bn upgrade work

Improved routes for walkers and cyclists, better local road access and plans for a more sustainable project are among the changes that have been made to the upgrade of the A428 and Black Cat roundabout.

Highways England is today (Wednesday) asking people who live, work and travel in and around Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire to have their say on the latest designs for the multi-million pound project.

The scheme will see the A428 given a new 10-mile route between Caxton Gibbet and the A1’s Black Cat roundabout, which will be upgraded with a new underpass.

Design refinements have been made to the scheme after detailed analysis of the 925 responses received during last summer’s consultation, as well as new technical information and engagement with the local community and organisations.

A five-week consultation begins today, giving people the chance to see the latest changes, which include:

• The creation of four ‘borrow pits’ close to where Highways England is building embankments at Roxton Road, Black Cat junction and Caxton Gibbet junction. This will reduce the need to transport construction materials and cut construction traffic on public roads, while also making the project more sustainable by using earth and spoil from local sources.
• Improving safety for walkers, cyclists and horse riders by upgrading crossings and creating more convenient off-road routes.
• Reducing the visual impact of the scheme by improved landscaping, and planting locally sourced trees and shrubs.
• Minimising the disruption to businesses and reducing the impact on agricultural land, reducing the impact on farmers by using less land where possible.
• Changes to local access roads to help improve driver access.

Lee Galloway, Highways England A428 programme lead, said: “The A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements will transform one of the busiest road links in the East of England, helping to save drivers who live, work and travel in and around Bedfordshire and Cambridge an hour-and-a-half on their journeys every week.

“Getting the views of drivers, the local community and businesses is crucial to designing a project that will offer the best value, maximise the benefits for all, while reducing the impact on the local communities and the environment.”

Visit https://highwaysengland.co.uk/a428-black-cat-to-caxton-gibbet-home to take part and to find out about webchats being held by Highways England teams.

Once the consultation closes on July 28, Highways England will analyse the responses ahead of finalising its plans and applying for planning consent.