The environmental pressure group Transport Action Network has launched a legal challenge against National Highways’ plans to dual the A428 in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

The work will involve dualling the road between A1/A421 Black Cat Junction and A428/A1198 Caxton Gibbet Junction to high quality dual carriageway. Construction will include 12 miles (19km) of new Dual Carriageway, and Grade separated junctions.

But TAN says its benefits, “other that some short term congestion relief” are “questionable”. On its website it claims that the scheme is “one of the biggest emitters of carbon in the roads programme (RIS2) which will undermine local and regional efforts to tackle climate change. It will also lead to a large loss in hedgerow biodiversity and affect a number of important species”.

The group says the challenge could have implications for how climate change and nature are considered in future road decisions, and if successful, “could stop these important aspects being sidelined in the decision making process”.

TAN has taken the case to the High Court and is awaiting a decision on whether it’ll be taken forward.

(Picture – National Highways)