Archive for category: Local News

We have been sent this by National Highways:

What is happening?

We’re writing to let you know about upcoming road closures in the Caxton Gibbet area during October. These closures are needed so our team can safely carry out essential traffic management works as part of the wider A428 improvement scheme.

These overnight works are the next stage in constructing the new eastbound slip road. As part of this work, we’ll be realigning the temporary concrete safety barriers to create the space needed to build the new permanent concrete barrier.

We are committed to completing these activities as efficiently and safely as possible. However, please be aware that all dates remain subject to change depending on weather conditions and operational requirements.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while these essential works are carried out.

Table showing upcoming closures

Diversion Maps

To make our information easier to access and more environmentally friendly, all diversion maps will now be available online only. This change ensures that residents and businesses can view the most up to date route information at any time from their computer, tablet, or mobile device. We encourage everyone to visit our website (A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Closures) or scan this QR code to view the latest maps and updates before travelling.

Keeping you updated

If you’d like more information about this work, then please feel free to contact us by calling the 24/7 National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000.

Alternatively, you can email us on info@a428.co.uk or visit our website at www.nationalhighways.co.uk/a428 where you can sign up for future works information.

Yours sincerely,

The Community Engagement Team

For more information, please vist www.nationalhighways.co.uk/a428

Please click on our social channels below to follow us for more updates.

The A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Team

We have been sent the following details from National Highways:

Upcoming Road Closures – Black Cat, Chawston and Wyboston – October and November 2026.

What is happening?

We’re writing to let you know about planned road closures and diversion routes at Black Cat junction and the surrounding area between Monday 19 October and Monday 23 November 2026.

During these closures we will be completing surveys to the new drainage system around the Black Cat junction, these surveys are to ensure that the drainage system is functioning correctly prior to the road opening. As well as this we will also be continuing the installation of surfacing, lighting, signage and bollards in the Black Cat roundabout area. Details of these closures are provided in the table below.

Table showing upcoming closures

Road Closure locations for Friday 6 November to Monday 9 November 2026

Diversion Maps

To make our information easier to access and more environmentally friendly, all diversion maps will now be available online only. This change ensures that residents and businesses can view the most up to date route information at any time from their computer, tablet, or mobile device. We encourage everyone to visit our website (A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Closures) or scan this QR code to view the latest maps and updates before travelling.

Keeping you updated

If you’d like more information about this work, then please feel free to contact us by calling the 24/7 National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000.

Alternatively, you can email us on info@a428.co.uk or visit our website at www.nationalhighways.co.uk/a428 where you can sign up for future works information.

Yours sincerely,

The Community Engagement Team

Please see the information below from the A428 Team:

A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvements – Episode 7: Project Update

Thursday 15 October (6.30pm – 7.30pm)

It’s been a busy summer, and we’re excited to continue our series of online information events throughout 2026 to keep you connected with everything happening on the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Improvements.

We’d love for you to join us for our seventh event, where we’ll be sharing an easy‑to‑follow update on the works taking place across the whole project. Our project experts will talk you through the latest progress from the worksite, explain what’s coming up next, and answer questions sent in ahead of the session. It’s a great chance to get a clear, behind‑the‑scenes look at how the scheme is moving forward and what it means for the local area.

Got questions? This is your chance to ask them and get answers in real time!

Sign up to online event: https://bit.ly/3TzxSZh

We look forward to meeting you soon,

A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Team

National Highways have shared the following information with us:

As the village route to St Neots passes the new bridge on the B1046 Potton Road I wanted to provide you with an update on the further work needed before it can open to traffic.

🔍 What work is to be carried out?

During routine quality checks carried out during construction, we identified an issue with the concrete bridge deck.

The bridge deck is the part of the bridge that supports the road and the traffic travelling over it.

Further investigations identified small surface cracks, approximately 1mm wide. While these cracks do not affect the structural safety of the bridge, they do not meet the quality standards we expect.

To ensure the bridge meets the standards required for long-term safety, quality and durability, our engineering experts determined replacing the bridge deck is the best long-term solution.

We understand that this additional work will be disappointing for local residents and road users. However, it’s important that we address the issue before the bridge opens to traffic.

🛠️ Next steps

The issue is limited to the bridge deck. The bridge beams and supporting abutments have been thoroughly assessed and remain structurally sound.

Work to remove the existing bridge deck will begin on 5 October 2026.

The deck will be removed in sections using a specialist technique called hydrodemolition. This uses high-pressure water to carefully remove concrete while protecting the structural elements that will remain in place.

Once the removal work is complete, expected in early December, we’ll construct a new bridge deck, followed by surfacing and road connection works.

🏠Impact of work on adjacent properties

Our environmental team and I will be working closely with the construction team carrying out the bridge works to help minimise disruption for people living and working nearby.

There will be no impact on vehicle access as a result of the works. Some activities may be noisy at times, but these will only take place during our normal site working hours.

Once we have a confirmed programme for the works, I’ll be in touch with further information of any activities that may be particularly noisy or disruptive.

📅 When will the bridge open?

The bridge is expected to open to traffic by April 2027.

We have been informed of the following by National Highways:

We are writing to let you know that the planned temporary road closure – as below – on Barford Road, Little Barford has been postponed due to changes to the programme.

The closure will now take place later this year. We will confirm the new dates as soon as they are available and will share this information through our usual communication channels.

———————————————————-

Temporary Road Closure Barford Road, Little Barford

Friday 25 September to Monday 19 October 2026

What is happening?

We’re writing to let you know that Barford Road, Little Barford, will be closed from 9pm on Friday 25 September until 6am on Monday 19 October 2026. This closure is needed so we can carry out drainage works and final tie-in works for the new road alignment safely. The road will be closed 24 hours a day for the duration of these works. 

Access for residents within the closure area will be maintained. Please be advised, there will be no through route between St Neots and Tempsford via Barford Road, Little Barford Road during this period.

Realignment and tie-in works 

To realign Barford Road over the new bridge, we need to connect the new embankments to the existing road. This work involves: 

• Removing the existing road surface

• Installing deep drainage, kerbs, and the road base 
• Building a new access to residential properties and farm
• Completing the final surfacing and white lining

We will make every effort to complete these works as quickly as possible; however, please note that all dates are subject to change due to weather conditions and operational requirements.

We appreciate that this may cause some inconvenience and thank you in advance for your patience and understanding while we carry out these essential works.

Keeping you updated

If you’d like more information about this work, then please feel free to contact us by calling the 24/7 National Highways Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000.

Alternatively, you can email us on info@a428.co.uk or visit our website at www.nationalhighways.co.uk/a428 where you can sign up for future works information.

Yours sincerely,

The Community Engagement Team