Relief from Black Cat Delay Misery for Motorists is Essential

At the time of the completion of the new, dualled A421 link between Bedford and the Black Cat roundabout (or Great Barford bypass, as it's more commonly known) just a few years ago, the Black Cat junction itself was remodelled to accommodate the new entrance/exit. Sadly, the opportunity to introduce a comprehensive scheme to remedy the problem of severe traffic and congestion at the junction, which is the responsibility of the Highways Agency, was not taken at the time. The result was the current situation of daily delays suffered by motorists, causing misery for drivers and damaging our local economy. This is unacceptable.

The fundamental problem is of course the fact that the roundabout is at the junction of the hugely busy A421 and A1, which is not separated from the roundabout itself. It is appalling that, of the 5 roundabouts on the A1 between the M25 and Hadrian's Wall, four of them are in Bedfordshire (with the fifth only just up the road in Buckden!). This shocking statistic is a stark illustration of how this area has lost out in the past when it comes to the government's A1 infrastructure improvements. I'm not prepared for us to continue to lose out, and am pressing the government for vital investment to improve things.

Of course, we find ourselves at a time of reduced resources, with relatively little government funding available for infrastructure improvements. The govenment has announced a 'Pinch Point Fund' for improvements to congestion points on the road network, and with this being the 'only game in town' for investment in improvements, we are pressing for the Black Cat roundabout to be included in the scheme. However, the cap on schemes funded through this programme does not even come close to meeting the cost of the sort of comprehensive solution which we would all like to see. However, through the fund, which is subject to a competitive process for bids to be awarded funding, we are supporting a scheme designed by the Highways Agency which will include an enlarged roundabout, traffic lights, new feeder lanes and smart technology to help maintain traffic flow.

I have received reassurance that such a scheme would be complementary to any future comprehensive solution, and therefore would in no way make that major transformation which is ultimately required any less likely. There is therefore no reason at all for us not to fight to deliver what would deliver some relief for beleaguered motorists from the misery suffered at the Black Cat every day, and we will be working with Central Bedfordshire Council and the Highways Agency to seek support through the Pinch Point Fund for this project. We will do all we can to ensure Bedford Borough no longer loses out when it comes to vital infrastructure improvements.