Drivers are being urged to only travel through the Black Cat roundabout and surrounding areas if their journey is essential due to major road closures on the A1 and A421 in Bedfordshire next weekend.

The closures are part of the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvements and will allow National Highways to safely connect two new sections of road to the existing network at the Black Cat roundabout.

For the safety of both road users and workers, the following closures will be in place from 9pm on Friday 15 August to 5am on Monday 18 August 2025:

• A421 in both directions between Cardington Interchange and Black Cat roundabout.
• A1 northbound between Tempsford and Wyboston.
• Bedford Road between Roxton Road bridge and the Black Cat roundabout.

National Highways says drivers should plan their journeys well and only travel if essential, to help ease pressure on the diversion route, which uses local roads.

Senior Project Manager at National Highways, Paul Salmon, said:

“We want people to spend their weekends relaxing and enjoying themselves – not stuck in traffic. If you’re planning to travel through the Black Cat roundabout or the surrounding area, please think carefully about your journey and only travel if it’s absolutely necessary.

“Allow extra time, use alternative routes where you can, and make sure to follow our official diversion signs rather than relying on sat-nav directions.”

The closures are needed to safely connect two new sections of road to the existing network at Black Cat roundabout – the new A421 eastbound to A1 northbound free-flow link, and the new A421 westbound slip road.

“We’re making good progress across the scheme and remain on track to open in spring 2027,” added Salmon. “Following the weekend, the road layout at Black Cat roundabout will have changed again, so we’d ask drivers to be prepared and follow the signage as they approach the roundabout.”

The A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvements is a £1 billion project to improve journeys between Milton Keynes, Bedford, St Neots, and Cambridge.

The scheme will see the creation of a 10-mile dual carriageway linking the A1/A421 Black Cat roundabout with the A428 Caxton Gibbet roundabout. Both existing roundabouts will be upgraded into modern, free-flowing junctions. A new junction will also be added at Cambridge Road, improving access to St Neots and its train station.

This new dual carriageway will replace the final stretch of single carriageway on the strategic road network between the M1 at Milton Keynes and the east coast ports of Harwich and Felixstowe.

At peak times, drivers will save up to 10 minutes per journey – adding up to 1.5 hours every working week – helping to support regional growth, ease congestion, and make travel more reliable. The scheme is expected to open to traffic in spring 2027.

National Highways is hosting an online event in order for local residents to ask questions about the project. Register here to attend the event on Tuesday 12 August, taking place from 6pm to 7pm. National Highways will offer an in-depth look at the upcoming traffic layout changes and answer questions that are submitted prior to the event.

This event will also focus on the traffic management aspect of works currently taking place at the Black Cat.

(Pic: National Highways)