Highways Agency - Safe roads, Reliable journeys, Informed travellers

Introduction

In March 2004 a Public Consultation was arranged to seek views on the Highways Agency's initial proposals to improve the A421 between Junction 13 of the M1 motorway and the Bedford Southern Bypass.

This leaflet summarises the results of the Public Consultation and presents the "Preferred Route" announced by the Secretary of State for Transport.

There will be an exhibition at which representatives from the Highways Agency and its consulting engineers will be present. Details of the venue and dates are given on the back of this leaflet.

Scheme Objectives

The objectives of the scheme are to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion and improve journey reliability for all users whilst protecting the environment wherever possible. The proposals include improvement of M1 Junction 13 and construction of a new dual carriageway alongside the existing A421 between the M1 and the Bedford Southern Bypass.

Public Consultation

During the week commencing 15th March 2004 a Public Consultation leaflet and questionnaire were distributed to approximately 11,000 residential and business premises within the locality. They were also deposited at local Council Offices, Post Offices, petrol stations, Marston Vale Forest Centre and Wootton Library.

A Public Exhibition was held at the Marston Moretaine Pavilion on 25th, 26th and 27th March 2004.

The official consultation period ended on 21st June 2004.

Responses to Public Consultation

Over 1000 people attended the 3 day Public Exhibition.

Of the 11,000 leaflets delivered to local households and businesses, 931 completed questionnaires were received by the Highways Agency. 68% of the returned questionnaires had written comments added. The Highways Agency also received 87 written responses (letter or e-mail) and 2 petitions.

The majority of respondents were generally in favour of the proposals presented at Consultation and many positive comments were received. However, there are a number of key issues which generated significant adverse comment and which affect many local users. Having considered all representations, comments and suggestions, some changes have been made to the proposals presented at Public Consultation as highlighted in the numbered sections and plan overleaf.

Decision of the Secretary of State

The Secretary of State for Transport has considered the views expressed and agrees with the changes to the route to reflect comments received, such as local links and reduction of severance. He confirms that the route shown on the plan overleaf should be the preferred route.

Comments from Local Councils and Other Bodies included the following:

Bedfordshire County Council - supported the proposals and felt that the improvement would be the most appropriate way to cope with the growth identified. The council were concerned about the proposed layout at M1 Junction 13 and the impact of the junction strategy on local communities, local traffic and bus services. They also wished to see the protection and enhancement of the environment as part of the scheme.

Mid Beds Council - fully supported the proposals, but were concerned about potential confusion at M1 Junction 13 and the impact of road closures on local communities, businesses, and bus services. Bedford Borough Council - agreed with the chosen route, but were concerned about the proposed revisions to M1 Junction 13 and lack of west facing on-slip at Marsh Leys. Want to see flood mitigation measures in place.

Brogborough Parish Council - delighted with the proposed A421 route, but were concerned about the location of the new picnic site and car parking arrangements.

Marston Moretaine Parish Council - expressed fears that the proposed scheme would increase traffic along Upper Shelton Road and through Marston Moretaine. Concerned about the effect on emergency service response times and public transport routes and about access to the garage and Little Chef.

Cranfield Parish Council - considered the Beancroft Road Junction to be inadequate.

Wootton Parish Council - welcomed the proposals, but were concerned about increased traffic in Wootton and that the closure of Beancroft Road would increase traffic through Wootton Green. Accepted the closure of Fields Road provided the Cranfi eld Road/Stewartby Junction link road is built.

English Nature - No objection to the principle of this particular scheme, but stressed the importance of environmental mitgation measures.

Campaign to Protect Rural England - objected to current proposals for the improvement of the A421 and considered that the preferred scheme helps traffic nationally at the expense of the local communities.

Revised Scheme Proposals

1. M1 Junction 13

Respondents commented that the proposed junction would be overly complex with too many roundabouts which would cause confusion and create new bottlenecks.

To simplify the layout, and increase its capacity, a two-level junction at Salford Road roundabout, in the form of a fl yover across the roundabout, has been included, together with east facing slip roads serving the proposed A421.

2. Wood End

Residents were concerned about severance and diversions via Beancroft Road and Marston Moretaine to access Bedford.

Wood End would cross the proposed A421 on a bridge rather than connecting to Beancroft Road. This would maintain links between the community in Wood End and would better serve the existing Sustrans Route 51.

3. Access to the Proposed A421 at Marston Moretaine

Respondents felt that a two-level junction should be provided at Marston Moretaine to provide full access to the proposed A421 and the service station.

A two-level junction would be constructed at Beancroft Road with slip roads providing access to and from the proposed A421 in both directions. The dual carriageway is likely to be constructed in a cutting through the junction to reduce its environmental impact and Beancroft Road would cross the proposed A421, following its existing alignment, on a new bridge. Access to the services and the modified Marston Moretaine Bypass would be available directly from this junction.

The previous proposed roundabout at the junction of the existing A421 and Woburn Road has been deleted from the scheme.

4. Traffic Through Marston Moretaine Village

Respondents were concerned that Marston Moretaine would lose its bypass, which would force more traffic through the village centre on Bedford Road and Woburn Road.

The M1 bound carriageway of the existing Marston Moretaine Bypass would be converted into a two-way single carriageway running alongside the proposed A421 dual carriageway, thus maintaining the village bypass and avoiding increased traffic flows through the village.

5. Lower Shelton Road

Respondents were concerned that the closure of Lower Shelton Road would increase the length and cost of journeys to the proposed A421 and Marston Moretaine from Upper and Lower Shelton. Respondents also felt that Upper and Lower Shelton would be isolated from Marston Moretaine and that local buses and the emergency services would experience access problems.

A link road parallel to the new dual carriageway would connect Lower Shelton with Marston Moretaine via the proposed junction at Beancroft Road.

6. Stewartby Junction

Respondents were concerned that provision of a link road to the junction would increase traffic on Cranfield Road.

The proposed junction at Beancroft Road and the single carriageway bypass of Marston Moretaine negates the requirement for Stewartby Junction. The previously proposed junction and the link road to the Cranfi eld Road have been deleted from the scheme.

7. Fields Road

Respondents thought that the closure of Fields Road would create additional traffic flow through Wootton village. They were also concerned that eastbound traffic generated in Wootton would cut through Kempston and Bedford using local roads rather than accessing the A421 at the proposed Stewartby Junction. Respondents felt that Fields Road should be connected to either the existing or proposed A421.

Fields Road would cross the proposed A421 on a bridge and connect to the existing A421. Access to the proposed A421 from Wootton village would be via Marsh Leys Junction or the modifi ed Marston Moretaine Bypass and Marston Moretaine Junction.

8. Southbound On-slip at Marsh Leys Junction

Respondents felt that a southbound on-slip road should be provided at Marsh Leys Junction to reduce traffic having to use the existing A421.

A southbound on-slip would be included at Marsh Leys Junction.

9. Interchange Retail Park Roundabout

Respondents thought that the closure of Interchange Retail Park Roundabout would increase congestion on alternative approaches to Bedford and that direct access should be provided from the proposed A421.

The Interchange Retail Park Roundabout would be removed under the Preferred Route proposals. The close proximity of the existing Marsh Leys and A6 Junctions prevents a further junction being safely incorporated in between.

The Environment

Some respondents were concerned about the encroachment of the proposed dual carriageway into green-field land and woodland and felt that this was unacceptable. They suggested that this could be alleviated by widening the existing A421 to form the new dual carriageway.

It would not be feasible to widen all of the existing A421 carriageway as the existing road does not meet current alignment standards and because of other constraints along the route such as private accesses and numerous side road junctions. On-line widening would also not allow the existing road network to be retained for use by local traffic.

Non-Motorised Users (eg. cyclists, pedestrians and equestrians)

Respondents were concerned about crossing points over the proposed road, facilities for non-motorised users at the proposed junctions and diversion of the Sustrans Route 51.

The proposed M1 Junction 13 improvements would include a route for nonmotorised users between Station Road and Salford Road. Sustrans Route 51 would be maintained using the proposed Wood End Bridge. Bridges/underpasses would also be provided at Reynolds Wood, Lower Shelton, Berry Farm and Van Dieman's Land. A pedestrian/cycle route would be included at Marsh Leys Junction for access between Kempston and Marsh Leys.

Preferred Route December 2004

Please select either Map A or Map B, or on the image below:

Preferred Route Exhibition Details

The Exhibition will show further details of the Public Consultation results and the revised proposals for the scheme.

Dates:

Venue:

Following the Exhibition, the proposals will be displayed at The Forest Centre, Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.

Copies of the report are also available for viewing in local libraries.

What Happens Next?

The revised proposals presented in this leaflet will be designated as the "Preferred Route" for the A421 Improvements and will be protected from development.

The next stage is to develop the design of the Preferred Route in more detail to identify the land that will need to be acquired. This will include development of junction layouts and suitable mitigation measures such as landscaping and planting. Once this work has been completed the Highways Agency will publish Draft Highways Statutory Orders and an Environmental Statement. There will be more publicity when this happens and people will be able to consider the proposals and make representations and objections. If objections to the Draft Orders are received, a Public Inquiry may be held.

For further information contact: