Black Cat Roundabout upgrade awarded

[Aictos]

For those who are unfortunate to have used this roundabout either in the past or currently, it was announced in local media that it's being replaced with conflict free junctions by Skanska.

Which will improve connections to St Neots railway station and create better routes for horse riders, cyclists and walkers.

The story behind the Black Cat roundabout's name and sculpture

The notorious roundabout is set to be transformed

www.bedfordshirelive.co.uk

*Please note I'm posting this from my phone so apologies for the format.

My question is how would they do this as it's already busy as it is unless the new layout will be built slightly offset to the current layout and have the old layout engineered into it?

Its overdue tho in my opinion.

 

[Bald Rick]

All details available on the HE website.

A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements

Creating a reliable, high quality route from Black Cat junction to Caxton Gibbet junction that will meet the future traffic needs of the region.

highwaysengland.co.uk

Screenshot of their flythrough video, shows A421 over the top, and A1 at bottom of a 3 Level interchange.

 

[JamesT]

All details available on the HE website.

A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements

Creating a reliable, high quality route from Black Cat junction to Caxton Gibbet junction that will meet the future traffic needs of the region.

highwaysengland.co.uk

Further to that, on the about the scheme page, at the bottom is a video of how things will be during construction. The new junction will be much larger, so they appear to be using bits of the new slip roads that are constructed first to make a giant roundabout. Then they can build the core bits of the new junction in the middle having removed the old junction.

 

[bramling]

For those who are unfortunate to have used this roundabout either in the past or currently, it was announced in local media that it's being replaced with conflict free junctions by Skanska.

Which will improve connections to St Neots railway station and create better routes for horse riders, cyclists and walkers.

The story behind the Black Cat roundabout's name and sculpture

The notorious roundabout is set to be transformed

www.bedfordshirelive.co.uk

*Please note I'm posting this from my phone so apologies for the format.

My question is how would they do this as it's already busy as it is unless the new layout will be built slightly offset to the current layout and have the old layout engineered into it?

Its overdue tho in my opinion.

Very good news.

Bets on as to which of the remaining four will be the last roundabout to survive between Berwick and London, and when it will finally go.

Unfortunately I suspect there may well be a fair few years to wait for that.

 

[Aictos]

Very good news.

Bets on as to which of the remaining four will be the last roundabout to survive between Berwick and London, and when it will finally go.

Unfortunately I suspect there may well be a fair few years to wait for that.

My question is how they intend to carry out the works bearing in mind how busy the roundabout is there.

As to the last 4 roundabouts, are there none then between Berwick and Edinburgh? Or are they grade separated?

I guess they just build around it with roadworks for the next three to four years but it's something I've always thought was needed there as it's a similar approach to how the roundabouts on Peterborough Parkways keep the traffic free flowing.

 

[snowball]

As to the last 4 roundabouts, are there none then between Berwick and Edinburgh? Or are they grade separated?

There are 3 on the Berwick bypass, 1 at Cockburnspath, and 2 on the Dunbar bypass.

 

[Aictos]

There are 3 on the Berwick bypass, 1 at Cockburnspath, and 2 on the Dunbar bypass.

Are they grade separated tho?

 

[PeterC]

Very good news.

Bets on as to which of the remaining four will be the last roundabout to survive between Berwick and London, and when it will finally go.

Unfortunately I suspect there may well be a fair few years to wait for that.

I think that eliminating the remaining at grade crossings would have more immediate value.

 

[bramling]

I think that eliminating the remaining at grade crossings would have more immediate value.

Yes a very good point. The roundabouts are an irritant, but the crossings are more hazardous.

 

[John Webb]

I recall when the present roundabout was being built (mid-1980s?) and caused considerable delays heading for Yorkshire holidays!

 

[swt_passenger]

Are they grade separated tho?

Berwick bypass is a relatively ordinary single carriageway road. It probably doesn’t justify grade separation yet, if ever.

 

[Aictos]

I recall when the present roundabout was being built (mid-1980s?) and caused considerable delays heading for Yorkshire holidays!

I remember when they had repainted the lanes a few years ago which made North to South A1 use free flowing however all other traffic was congested as they crossed each other.

When they built it in the 80s, how did they do it bearing in mind the delays you mentioned?

 

[bramling]

Berwick bypass is a relatively ordinary single carriageway road. It probably doesn’t justify grade separation yet, if ever.

Was there not a plan to dual the Northumberland section of the A1, or has this fallen by the wayside?

In the grand scheme of things this section isn’t massively busy, but it does have its fair share of accidents, mainly due to the various flat junctions, and and no doubt badly judged overtaking.

Personally I’ve never found it *that* much of a hindrance. Most of the time it isn’t too bad a run, and the dual carriageway soon resumes.

 

[swt_passenger]

Was there not a plan to dual the Northumberland section of the A1, or has this fallen by the wayside?

In the grand scheme of things this section isn’t massively busy, but it does have its fair share of accidents, mainly due to the various flat junctions, and and no doubt badly judged overtaking.

Personally I’ve never found it *that* much of a hindrance. Most of the time it isn’t too bad a run, and the dual carriageway soon resumes.

The only current plan is to fill in two significant gaps, Morpeth to the Felton bypass, and Denwick to North Charlton, but this seems to be given an exaggerated scheme description of “Morpeth to Ellingham” dualling, ie including significant sections already completed some years ago.

However that’s still somewhat short of Berwick.

 

[snowball]

Are they grade separated tho?

No, I was only counting flat roundabouts.

The A1 is grade separated from Dunbar to Edinburgh but most junctions between Morpeth and Dunbar are flat. The sections mentioned by swt_passenger as to be dualled will be grade separated at the same time, but other than that I am not aware of any plans for further grade separation.

 

[Bald Rick]

I recall when the present roundabout was being built (mid-1980s?) and caused considerable delays heading for Yorkshire holidays!

The present roundabout was built when the A421 was dualled from the M1 in 2010. There was a similar roundabout there beforehand though!

 

[John Webb]

.....When they built it in the 80s, how did they do it bearing in mind the delays you mentioned?

The present roundabout was built when the A421 was dualled from the M1 in 2010. There was a similar roundabout there beforehand though!

It seems it was the original roundabout I recall being built from Bald Rick's comment. I don't remember the details, but I think it was basically making one half of the roundabout at a time with just one lane each way - hence the delays. Checking my partner's journey notes from 2009 and 2010, she did record that we were delayed in the Black Cat roundabout area in 2009, but not in 2010.

Much of the A1 from the Baldock Services northwards as far as St Neots had flat junctions when I last went that way in 2017, although I recall there were some signs up saying work to improve the A1 to A1(M) standards was planned. Has that happened yet?

 

[Bald Rick]

It seems it was the original roundabout I recall being built from Bald Rick's comment. I don't remember the details, but I think it was basically making one half of the roundabout at a time with just one lane each way - hence the delays. Checking my partner's journey notes from 2009 and 2010, she did record that we were delayed in the Black Cat roundabout area in 2009, but not in 2010.

Much of the A1 from the Baldock Services northwards as far as St Neots had flat junctions when I last went that way in 2017, although I recall there were some signs up saying work to improve the A1 to A1(M) standards was planned. Has that happened yet?

There’s no current plans to upgrade the A1 from Baldock to Brampton to Motorway standard. You might be thinking of the short section from Brampton to Alconbury, that was rebuilt when the A14 Cambridge - Brampton was done.

 

[Ianno87]

A post on the scheme's Facebook page confirms the renumbering of the roads:

-The new route from the Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet will be the (extended) A421.

-The current section of A428 bypass around St Neots becomes the A1428 until the Cambridge Road junction with the new section of A421.

-The section of existing A428 from there to Caxton Gibbet becomes downgraded to the B1428 (being superseded by the parallel new A421)

-No statement is made about the unchanged section of A428 from Caxton Gibbet to Girton (where it runs into the A14). This could remain the A428 or form a continuation of the A421

 

[ABB125]

It's good that it's being grade-separated. However, as per usual, the lack of imagination from Highways England (or their consultants who actually do the work; or indeed the ridiculously high standards in the design manual) results in a big roundabout (probably with traffic lights; I can't remember if this one does). At least it's an upgrade from what's currently there (unlike the currently postponed "upgrade" of the M25/A3 junction: "let's replace the existing 3 level traffic light roundabout with a slightly bigger 3 level traffic light roundabout").

No statement is made about the unchanged section of A428 from Caxton Gibbet to Girton (where it runs into the A14). This could remain the A428 or form a continuation of the A421

There's absolutely no reason that the current dualled A428 section shouldn't be renumbered; through routes like this should have one consistent number. Otherwise you end up with the A417/419 mess, or worse, the M6/A74(M)/M74...

 

[Ianno87]

There's absolutely no reason that the current dualled A428 section shouldn't be renumbered; through routes like this should have one consistent number. Otherwise you end up with the A417/419 mess, or worse, the M6/A74(M)/M74...

I think the subtext is that it's not the project's problem to solve, as east of Caxton Gibbet isn't touched by the scheme.

*But* renumbering the whole lot as the A421 seems reasonably likely.

 

[ABB125]

I think the subtext is that it's not the project's problem to solve, as east of Caxton Gibbet isn't touched by the scheme.

Seems to be a common issue with infrastructure these days..

*But* renumbering the whole lot as the A421 seems reasonably likely.

One would hope so!

 

[cactustwirly]

About time.
The rest of the A1 should be upgraded to motorway standard.

The A1 south of the M62 is lethal and is in dire need of 3 lanes.

 

[bramling]

About time.
The rest of the A1 should be upgraded to motorway standard.

The A1 south of the M62 is lethal and is in dire need of 3 lanes.

I wouldn’t say it’s *that* bad; indeed I prefer it to the M1.

There’s certainly troublesome sections though:
* Welwyn to Stevenage is most in need of improvement, and this needs a full three lanes plus hard shoulder, not a smart motorway
* Through Sandy
* Black Cat to A421 (now being fixed)
* M18 to M62

 

[Bald Rick]

The A1 south of the M62 is lethal and is in dire need of 3 lanes.

It’s magnificent! Get it at the right time, and it’s a brilliant driving experience.

 

[Ediswan]

* Welwyn to Stevenage is most in need of improvement, and this needs a full three lanes plus hard shoulder, not a smart motorway

I have a recollection that around 1990 the conclusion was that three lanes would not make much difference, so for four lanes, or do nothing.

Regarding the original topic, where is the cat sculpture going to go ? Given the history, it is reasonably certain that if there is no official cat, an unofficial cat will appear.

 

[bramling]

I have a recollection that around 1990 the conclusion was that three lanes would not make much difference, so for four lanes, or do nothing.

I think the section will always be a problem whatever is done with it. The junctions at either end cause issues with joining traffic slowing things down, especially those who just have to get out to the right within a milisecond of joining the motorway. The short but sharp climb just south of Stevenage South for southbound traffic doesn’t help either.

I think three lanes would help though, it would take the edge off the bottleneck which is an issue right through the day, and doubtless contribute to improving safety. I’d tend to agree it probably wouldn’t be a full solution to peak-time congestion, not least as it would probably unleash suppressed demand - a considerable amount of traffic currently uses other roads, in some cases country lanes, in order to avoid the motorway, so any extra peak capacity on the motorway would quite probably soon be filled with this. Naturally this would have a big benefit to those currently by the rat-running.

As ever a lot of the problems arise from Stevenage’s insatiable desire for expansion without addressing fundamental issues which this causes.

 

[ashkeba]

Which will improve connections to St Neots railway station and create better routes for horse riders, cyclists and walkers.

If it creates better routes for riders and walkers, I will be surprised. They seem to be missing from the screen shot of the fly through and the recent A14 upgrades at Huntingdon and Milton did not deliver improvements despite government words since 2016.

 

[snowball]

Just to clarify that despite any impression people may have got from the OP, the Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet road scheme is still only part way through its authorisation process. Its examination by the Planning Inspectorate is due to be completed by 18 February; if I remember correctly they then have 3 months to write up a recommendation to the SoS for Transport, who then has 3 months to make a decision.

Timetable for examination here:

A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Road Improvement scheme - Project information

infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk

 

[Ianno87]

It’s magnificent! Get it at the right time, and it’s a brilliant driving experience.

I think the only hairy bit is the section immediately off the end of the A1(M) at Peterbrough - 4 Lane motorway becomes twisty 2 lane dual carriageway in the blink of an eye, although it becomes better after a few miles.

I agree the rest is fine - if anything it breaks the monotony of Motorway driving, and is rarely congested.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Sep 2021 ==

I think the section will always be a problem whatever is done with it. The junctions at either end cause issues with joining traffic slowing things down, especially those who just have to get out to the right within a milisecond of joining the motorway. The short but sharp climb just south of Stevenage South for southbound traffic doesn’t help either.

I think three lanes would help though, it would take the edge off the bottleneck which is an issue right through the day, and doubtless contribute to improving safety. I’d tend to agree it probably wouldn’t be a full solution to peak-time congestion, not least as it would probably unleash suppressed demand - a considerable amount of traffic currently uses other roads, in some cases country lanes, in order to avoid the motorway, so any extra peak capacity on the motorway would quite probably soon be filled with this. Naturally this would have a big benefit to those currently by the rat-running.

As ever a lot of the problems arise from Stevenage’s insatiable desire for expansion without addressing fundamental issues which this causes.

Yep - definitely the sort of road where any extra capacity will just get filled up again and back to square one...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Sep 2021 ==

I think the section will always be a problem whatever is done with it. The junctions at either end cause issues with joining traffic slowing things down, especially those who just have to get out to the right within a milisecond of joining the motorway. The short but sharp climb just south of Stevenage South for southbound traffic doesn’t help either.

I think three lanes would help though, it would take the edge off the bottleneck which is an issue right through the day, and doubtless contribute to improving safety. I’d tend to agree it probably wouldn’t be a full solution to peak-time congestion, not least as it would probably unleash suppressed demand - a considerable amount of traffic currently uses other roads, in some cases country lanes, in order to avoid the motorway, so any extra peak capacity on the motorway would quite probably soon be filled with this. Naturally this would have a big benefit to those currently by the rat-running.

As ever a lot of the problems arise from Stevenage’s insatiable desire for expansion without addressing fundamental issues which this causes.

Yep - definitely the sort of road where any extra capacity will just get filled up again and back to square one...