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• A421 Bedford to M1 Junction 13

Update January 2010

Works have continued to progress well. Much of the eastbound carriageway foundation layer has been constructed between Marston junction and Marsh Leys, to allow clean site access. Surfacing activities in 2010 will focus on the area near to M1 Junction 13, side roads and junctions along the A421 as opposed to the mainline.  Notable developments include:

• West of M1 - The main embankment and drainage is now complete. Road construction is well underway, with the majority of the foundation layer in place.
• Brogborough and Salford Bridges - All bridge beams are in place. The concrete deck on the M1 bridge at Brogborough has been cast and parapet construction is underway. Temporary edge protection will be removed early 2010 which will involve some overnight disruption on the M1. The deck to Salford Road Bridge is complete.
• M1 to Salford Road - Road construction well underway with majority of foundation layer in place. Kerbing, signs and street lights will begin early next year, traffic will be moved onto the new roundabout.  The existing signalised junctions will be de-commissioned. 
• Brogborough cut is almost complete, the remaining earth will be moved when weather permits in 2010.
• Manor Farm bridge - The reinforced earth walls are nearing completion, to be followed by concrete works to the abutments.
• North Common Farm underpass is nearing completion.
• Landfill Site to Beancroft Road - Drainage works nearing completion, the road foundation layer is in place on the westbound carriageway, the first asphalt layer will follow soon. The steel beams were placed on Vale Road and Wood End Bridges in November.
• Marston Junction - Preparation work continues for the construction of the new junction. The column supports for the new Beancroft Road bridge are complete and the steel beams were placed in December.
• Lower Shelton link road opened on 27 November 2009. The extension to Lower Shelton underpass is nearing completion.
• Hoo Lane - The first of the eastbound carriageway concrete surface water channels are complete between Lower Shelton and Marsh Leys. The first layer of asphalt will begin in early 2010.
• Fields Road overbridges are nearing completion. The re-aligned Fields Road will be open in early 2010.
• Manor Road - The steel truss to the new bridleway bridge was erected in November, works continue to construct the bridleway on either side of the new bridge.
• Marsh Leys  - The supports to both bridges at Marsh Leys junction are underway, piling is complete. Bridge beams have been installed on the new railway bridge over the Bedford to Bletchley line.
• Cowbridge/A6 - Works to upgrade the A6 junctions were completed in November, the road has been handed back to Bedford Borough Council who will continue to monitor the signals.
• Landscaping - 21,485 plant positions have been excavated and 11,325 plants/trees have been planted.

Future Work

• Construction of M1 and Salford Road Bridges.
• Construction of A421 re-alignment west of  M1.
• Roundabout and slip road construction at the M1.
• Construction of the new Salford Road.
• Bridge construction at Manor Farm, Vale Farm and Wood End.
• Road construction of A421 diversion at Brogborough.
• Bridge construction and roadworks at Marston Junction.
• Bridge construction and roadworks to Fields Road.
• Bridge construction at Marsh Leys Junction.
• Roadworks to westbound carriageway, Marsh Leys to A6.
• Bridge construction at Marsh Leys Railway.

Considerate Constructors Scheme

During their second Considerate Constructor assessment, our contractor Balfour Beatty  scored 38 out of a possible 40 points. This is great news for the project, the hard work will be continued to try to improve further for the next assessment.

Scheme History

On 22 March 2007 the Secretary of State published the proposals in the form of Draft Orders. A three day public exhibition of the proposals was held at the Sports Pavilion in Marston Moretaine from 29 - 31 March 2007.  The public and other interested organisations were allowed a period of 14 weeks until 28 June 2007 to express their support, to comment on, or to object to the proposals.  A total of 98 objections to and 20 letters in support of the proposals  were received.

Following the end of the Objection period, on 5 July 2007 the Highways Agency announced its intention to hold a Public Inquiry. On 19 July 2007 the Highways Agency gave notice that a local Pre-Inquiry Meeting would be held. The Pre-Inquiry meeting took place on 25 October 2007 at Saturn Facilities, Bedford Heights, Manton Lane, Bedford.  The meeting was presided over by Mr J Moffett, BSc, FICE, MIHT an Inspector appointed by the Planning Inspectorate. 

All persons with an interest in the scheme were invited to attend. An independent Programme Officer from Persona Associates was appointed for the Pre-Inquiry Meeting and Public Inquiry.  The Programme Officer's role is to provide the interface between the Inspector and those who participate in the Inquiry, to arrange the Inquiry programme and to maintain the Inquiry library.

The Public Inquiry held by Mr J Moffett commenced at 10.00 am on 4 December 2007 at Saturn Facilities, Bedford. It provided the opportunity for all points of view to be heard and considered before the Inspector reports his findings to the Secretary of State for Transport and the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

On the 20 December 2007 the Inquiry was adjourned to re-open on 29 January 2008 to allow the Highways Agency to carry out additional detailed traffic modelling on the design of the proposed junctions at the M1/A421 interchange. The Inquiry was adjourned for a second time on 1 February 2008 to re-open on 13 February to allow the Highways Agency to carry out further traffic modelling. The Inquiry closed on 13 February 2008.

Following the Inquiry, the Inspector produced a report making a recommendation to the Secretaries of State based on the evidence presented by the Highways Agency, the objectors and supporters.

Secretaries of States' Decision

A decision by the Secretaries of State for Transport and Communities and Local Government was made jointly to proceed with this scheme. The Secretaries of State accepted the Inspector's recommendations in his report of the local public inquiry.

A copy of the decision letter and Inspectors report are available on the Publications page of this website.

Made Orders were published on 31 July 2008, copies of the public notices are available on the Publications page of this website.

Start of Works

Roads Minister Andrew Adonis announced the start of works on 28 October 2008 to prepare for the building of the new A421 dual carriageway.  The preliminary works included ground clearance, fence installation and archaeological work.  Major construction began in early in 2009. The road is due for completion in late 2010.

Start of Works Exhibition

A public exhibition to show construction plans and scheme proposals was held at Marston Moretaine Sports Pavilion, Bedford Road, Marston Moretaine, Beds, on 7 and 8 November 2008. A construction information leaflet is available on the Publications page.