Long delays in county result from closure on A1

The disruption is due to the closure of the A1 northbound between the Black Cat roundabout, which is being upgraded, and St Neots

Long delays are being reported at the northbound stretch of a major dual carriageway because of a road closure.

The disruption on the A421 south of Bedford was due to the closure of the A1 northbound between the Black Cat roundabout and the A428 at St Neots, Cambridgeshire, where major roadworks are being carried out, said National Highways.

Diversions are in place, but they have significantly increased congestion and extended travel times, it added.

The roads agency said it was reviewing what happened on Saturday "to help ensure this situation is not repeated".

'Abandoned trip'

One motorist contacted the BBC to say she had left Cranfield, south-west of Bedford, at 10:00 BST and it had taken her five hours to get to the Black Cat roundabout - a journey of about 17.5 miles.

"What we cannot understand is why National Highways did not put up any warning signs," she said.

"Once past the Great Barford exit, you can't get off the A421.

"We abandoned our trip to Lincoln, turned round and came back home. Will try again tomorrow, taking the M1 and hope we don't get caught in the Silverstone [F1 British Grand Prix] traffic."

Another driver told the BBC that they had joined the A421 at Bedford and, after three hours, the Black Cat roundabout was "not yet in sight".

'Reviewing' the circumstances

National Highways said the A1 closure was to enable Anglian Water to connect a new mains, and for a temporary safety barrier to be installed.

The government agency posted an apology on its dedicated A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Facebook account and said it understood the "frustration and inconvenience this caused".

"We are reviewing the circumstances to help ensure this situation is not repeated," it said.

"Due to the nature of the activity under way, it's not possible to lift the closure early."

However, it said was "in the process" of closing the eastbound entry slips at both Cardington and Renhold interchanges "to help reduce the volume of traffic joining the A421".

It advised drivers wishing to join the A1 from Bedford to take the A603 towards Sandy and join it there.

Traffic heading north on the A1 should follow the diversion route via the Tempsford exit east to Little Barford, and then join the A428 at St Neots, where they could either head east to Cambridge, or west to rejoin the A1 at Wyboston, it added.