Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of State has accepted an application by Highways England Company Limited of Bridge House, 1 Walnut Tree Close, Guildford, GU1 4LZ (the Applicant) for a Development Consent Order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008 (the Application). The Application was submitted by Highways England to the Secretary of State c/o the Planning Inspectorate (the Inspectorate) on 26 February 2021 and was accepted for examination on 23 March 2021. The reference number applied to the Application by the Inspectorate is TR010044.

Summary of the Application

The DCO would authorise a new 10 mile (16km) dual 2-lane carriageway from the Black Cat roundabout in Bedfordshire to Caxton Gibbet roundabout in Cambridgeshire, to be known as the A421 (new dual carriageway) and in addition approximately 1.8 miles (3km) of tie-in works (the Scheme).

The Scheme also includes the following components:

• A new three-level grade separated junction at Black Cat roundabout, with the A1 at the lower level, the new dual carriageway on the upper level and a roundabout between the two at approximately existing ground level. In addition to slip roads, a new free flowing link between the A421 eastbound carriageway and the A1 northbound carriageway will also be provided.

• A new grade separated all movements junction will be constructed to the east of the existing Cambridge Road roundabout to provide access to the new dual carriageway and maintain access to the existing A428.

• At the Caxton Gibbet roundabout, a new grade separated all movements junction will be constructed, incorporating the existing roundabout on the south side of the new dual carriageway and a new roundabout on the north side. The new dual carriageway will then tie-in to the existing A428 dual carriageway to the east of the new Caxton Gibbet junction.

• In the vicinity of the new Black Cat junction, direct access onto the A1 from some local side roads and private premises will be closed for safety reasons. A new local road will provide an alternative route. The existing Roxton Road bridge will be demolished and replaced with a new structure to the west to accommodate the realigned A421.

• New crossings will be constructed to enable the new dual carriageway to cross the River Great Ouse, East Coast Main Line railway, Barford Road, the B1046/Potton Road, Toseland Road and the existing A428 at Eltisley.

• The existing A428 between St Neots and Caxton Gibbet will be de-trunked and retained for local traffic and public transport with maintenance responsibility transferred to the local highway authorities.

• An alternative access will be provided to side roads at Chawston, Wyboston and Eltisley.

• There will be safer routes for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders.

The Scheme also involves changes to a number of existing utilities, including the diversion of a high pressure gas pipeline operated by Cadent Gas Limited which runs parallel to the East Coast Main Line east of the River Great Ouse in Tempsford, Central Bedfordshire (the Diversion). To the extent that the Diversion satisfies the criteria to be considered an NSIP under section 20 of the Planning Act 2008, the Diversion will be treated as an NSIP in its own right.

The DCO would authorise the compulsory acquisition of land, interests in land and rights over land, and the powers to use land permanently and temporarily for the construction, operation and maintenance of the Scheme.

The DCO would also make provisions in connection with several ancillary matters including the permanent construction and alteration of streets, the temporary interference with and the permanent stopping up of streets, public rights of way and private means of access in the vicinity of the Scheme and the classification of roads all included within the Scheme, the de-trunking (i.e. removal of trunk road status) of part of the existing A428, along with the amendment, disapplication and modification of relevant legislation.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The Scheme is Environmental Impact Assessment development (EIA development) as defined by The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017. The Application is therefore accompanied by an Environmental Statement.

Copies of Application Documents

The application form and accompanying application documents, plans and maps, including the Environment Statement can be viewed electronically and free of charge on the project page of the Inspectorate’s National Infrastructure Planning website https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/eastern/a428-black-cat-to-caxton-gibbet-road-improvement-scheme under the documents tab. The application documents will remain on the website for the duration of the relevant representation period, until at least 10 June 2021.

Paper copies of the Application documents may also be requested from Highways England using the contact details at the end of this notice. A reasonable charge of up to £7,794.69 will apply for paper copies to cover the cost of printing and postage. On request, a USB memory stick containing the application documents can be provided free of charge.

Making a relevant representation on the Application

Any person may make a relevant representation on the Application to the Secretary of State (i.e. giving notice of any interest in or objection to the Application). Any relevant representation relating to the Application must be submitted on a registration form and give the grounds on which it is made.

The period for making a relevant representation starts on 28 April 2021 and will end at 11.59pm on 10 June 2021.

The Inspectorate has issued detailed advice on registering as an interested party and making a relevant representation. This Advice Note (8.2 – How to Register to Participate in an Examination) is published on the National Infrastructure Planning website under ‘Legislation and Advice’ and can be found at: https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/legislation-and-advice/advice-notes/

The Registration and Relevant Representation form will be made available by the Inspectorate once the registration / representation period has opened on the relevant page for the Application via the National Infrastructure Planning website https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/eastern/a428-black-cat-to-caxton-gibbet-road-improvement-scheme.

Alternatively, you can request a hard copy of the form by contacting the Inspectorate on 0303 444 5000 or via A428.Blackcat@planninginspectorate.gov.uk quoting the name of the Application and the Inspectorate’s reference number TR010044. A completed hard copy form to be submitted to the Inspectorate should be sent to:

The Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, Temple Quay, BRISTOL, BS1 6PN.

Please quote reference number TR010044 in all correspondence with the Inspectorate about this Application.

Please note that any submitted representations to the Inspectorate will be published on the National Infrastructure Planning website for the Application.

Further information about the Application may be obtained from Highways England as follows:

Post: A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements scheme, Highways England, Woodlands, Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7LW.

Email: info@a428.co.uk.

Telephone: 0300 123 5000.