Have a say on plans for the Black Cat roundabout

The project will see a complete redesign of the A1/A428/A421 Black Cat roundabout, near Wyboston, to include a motorway-style junction and the construction of a new dual carriageway from the new junction to Caxton Gibbet roundabout in Cambridgeshire.

The improvements will reduce congestion, improve safety and boost the economy and is part of the Government’s record £15 billion investment in England’s motorways and major A roads.

Highways England programme leader Richard Hofton said: “The A428 is an important road linking St Neots and Cambridge. Dualling this vital road will mean it will be quicker and safer for people to get to where they want to be. The improvements will also help boost the economy and unlock housing.

“There are important choices to be made and we are keen to get as many views as we can, so I encourage anyone who would like to find out more to check out the consultation materials online and come and see us at one of our public exhibitions.”

A Highways England consultation seeking public views on the proposals will run until 23 April 2017.

Three options for the new dual carriageway route were shortlisted to be put forward to consultation:

Orange route – a new road from the new Black Cat junction to the A428 near Cambridge Road in St Neots, including a new Cambridge Road junction, and to the northeast of the existing A428, a new road from Cambridge Road to Caxton Gibbet, with a new Caxton Gibbet junction.

Purple route – a new road to the south of the existing A428 from the new Black Cat junction, north of Abbotsley to Caxton Gibbet, including a new Caxton Gibbet junction.

Pink route – a new road to the south of the existing A428 from the new Black Cat junction, south of Abbotsley to Caxton Gibbet, including a new Caxton Gibbet junction.

The consultation also includes three options for improving the Black Cat roundabout:

Option A – removal of the existing roundabout, construction of two roundabouts to the west of the current roundabout, slip roads for drivers to get from the A421 to the A1, and from the A1 to the A421. The A1 would become a free-flow continuous road going under the slip roads.

Option B – keeping the existing Black Cat roundabout and adding a new free-flow continuous link from the A421 eastbound towards the A1 northbound. The A1 would remain the same but the addition of slip roads would provide a free-flow link bypassing the roundabout for traffic moving southbound onto the A421.

Option C – enlarging the existing Black Cat roundabout, the A1 would become a continuous free-flow road under the widened Black Cat roundabout and slip roads would be built between the A421 and the A1.

People are invited to attend public exhibitions to find out more and take part. The public exhibitions will be held as follows:

Wyboston Lakes Tuesday 21 March 2pm – 8pm Oakley Suite, Training Centre, Great North Road, Wyboston.

Stuart Memorial Hall Friday 31 March 2pm – 8pm Church Street, Tempsford, Sandy.