Upgrade will improve link between Junction 13 of the M1 motorway and Milton Keynes

Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) formally recognised the start of its project to upgrade a key section of the A421 road into dual carriageway with a ground-breaking event held on 15 March 2019.

A remaining 3km of the road is being upgraded to better link Junction 13 of the M1 motorway in Central Bedfordshire with Milton Keynes.

The stretch runs from the roundabouts by the junction up to the new Eagles Rest housing development and the Altitude Magna Park logistics and distribution site in Milton Keynes.

The council says that the upgraded A421 road will help improve access to planned developments in Central Bedfordshire, such as 5,000 homes proposed in new villages in the Marston Vale area. This proposal is part of CBC’s submitted Local Plan.

From 13 May 2019 Cranfield Road bridge will be closed for up to 12 months

Councillor Ian Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services at Central Bedfordshire Council, said:

“This section of road is used by around 30,000 vehicles a day. The new dual carriageway will help ease congestion and take traffic away from local parishes, so increasing safety and benefiting local businesses and commuters.”

The new A421 dual carriageway is expected to be finished by the end of 2020. Ahead of that, the widened carriageway will need two bridges to be extended: the Cranfield Road bridge, plus another footbridge towards Hulcote. From 13 May 2019, the current Cranfield Road bridge will be closed for up to 12 months whilst the improvements are done.

Residents can read more about the A421 road improvements, get progress updates and sign-up for email alerts at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/a421.