A421 Improvement M1 J13 to Bedford
Project Introduction
The Highways Agency awarded this Early Contract Involvement
scheme to Balfour Beatty who appointed Scott Wilson as their
designer in November 2005. The scheme budget is £184m.
Project Background
The A421 connects the M1 at junction 13 to the A1 at the Black
Cat Roundabout and is an important link between Oxford, Milton
Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. An average of 25,000 vehicles travel
this route every day, leading to considerable congestion,
particularly during peak times and especially at Junction 13. The
amount of traffic also causes safety problems because a large
number of side roads, private properties and businesses border the
existing road.
The existing A421 will be improved by building a new 13km long
dual carriageway, between the M1 at Junction 13 and its junction
with the A6 at Kempston. The scheme includes two new
grade-separated interchanges; major improvements to M1 Junction 13,
numerous side road crossings and a widened bridge over the Bedford
to Bletchley railway.
Project Scope
Scott Wilson are providing expert advice on engineering design,
statutory procedures and environmental matters. These include
management, highways, geotechnical, structural and traffic
engineering at preliminary and detailed design, preparation of
Orders, provision of expert witnesses and technical support at
Public Inquiry, environmental surveys, assessment and mitigation,
and construction supervisor.
The draft Orders and Environmental Statement for the M1 widening
were published in March 2007. A Public Inquiry will be held in late
2007, followed by detailed design and construction.
Value Adding Project Achievements
In developing the scheme we looked closely at alternative
alignments, junction and private access design, routes for
non-motorised users and the potential impact on the environment.
The completed scheme will dramatically improve quality of life for
residents and journey time reliability and safety. The scheme
significantly increases the local network of footways and
bridleways.
