A new road linking Roxton Road and The Lane in Wyboston has officially opened, marking a key milestone in National Highways’ £1 billion upgrade to the Black Cat roundabout and surrounding routes.
Baron Way and Dove Farm Lane now provide safer and more direct access to the A1/A421 Black Cat roundabout, picking up traffic from Nagshead Lane and Chawston Lane and easing pressure on local roads.
The road forms part of the wider transformation of one of the region’s most important transport corridors, the route between Black Cat roundabout in Bedfordshire and Caxton Gibbet roundabout in Cambridgeshire, which is set to deliver faster, more reliable journeys for thousands of drivers.
Local history
Baron Way is named after the last family to live in nearby Brook Cottages, while Dove Farm Lane takes its name from the adjacent farmland, recognising the area’s rural heritage.
As part of the changes, National Highways will permanently close the existing access points from The Lane, Nagshead Lane, and Chawston Lane onto the A1 northbound.
These junctions had been flagged as safety concerns due to the way they merged local traffic into fast-moving A1 lanes.
Major step forward
Lee Galloway, Project Director at National Highways, said the new link will make a real difference to local communities. “By providing this new connection, we are improving safety and creating a more reliable link for drivers heading towards the Black Cat roundabout,” he said.
“This is one of many milestones to come as we continue building a new dual carriageway and upgrading junctions to connect communities, unlock economic opportunities and improve everyday travel.”
Bedford Borough Mayor Tom Wootton (Conservative) welcomed the development, calling it a “significant step forward” for local investment.
“Residents, commuters and visitors will all benefit from this road,” he said. “This forms part of the £1 billion worth of improvements which are being made across this project.”
Wider scheme
The new road opening follows the completion of a new Roxton Road bridge in May. The bridge has been built to accommodate a new westbound slip road and a free-flow eastbound link between the A421 and the A1.
These upgrades are part of National Highways’ major road scheme to replace the last remaining stretch of single carriageway between the M1 at Milton Keynes and the east coast ports of Harwich and Felixstowe.
The project will deliver a 10-mile dual carriageway, upgrade both Black Cat and Caxton Gibbet roundabouts into free-flowing junctions, and create a new junction at Cambridge Road to improve access to St Neots and its train station.
Once complete, drivers are expected to save up to 10 minutes per journey at peak times, easing congestion and supporting regional growth.
The scheme is due to open to traffic in spring 2027.
