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The A421 is an important road for east/west journeys across England. Together with the A428, the A43 and A34, it forms the route from Cambridge through Milton Keynes to Oxford.
[edit] East to westThe road begins at the A1, just south of St Neots (and the junction with the A428 from Cambridge), at the Black Cat Roundabout. The road bypasses Great Barford (the bypass opening on August 24, 2006) and Bedford to the south to reach the M1 at junction 13. From there, it swings up through the southern part of Milton Keynes, doubling as the local grid road H8 Standing Way. During this time it crosses the A5 (and connects to it via a short spur which is part of the V6 Grafton Street). Continuing westwards, it forms the Buckingham ring road before joining the A43 from Northampton on the outskirts of Banbury. (From there, the route to Oxford and Southampton follows the A43 to join the M40 at junction 10, then leaves the motorway at junction 9 to become the A34 and Oxford bypass). As of August 2006[update], the road is dualled as far as Kempston (western outskirts of Bedford), then single carriage to the south-eastern outskirts of Milton Keynes. It is dualled through Milton Keynes but resumes being a single carriage-way until the A43, apart from the short Tingewick bypass. The Highways Agency has plans[1] to dual the road all the way between the A1 and M1 and on into Milton Keynes. [edit] Current developments[edit] A421 Bedford to M1 Junction 13
A new 13 km dual carriageway is being built alongside the existing carriageway between the M1 Junction 13 and the Bedford Southern bypass and a new bridge over the M1. Changes to the A6 are also included in the scheme. There was a public inquiry into the plans in December 2007 and January and February 2008.[2] The Secretary of State issued orders for the implementation of the scheme in July 2008. The work has commenced and is scheduled for completion late 2010.[3] [edit] Future developments[edit] M1 Junction 13 to Milton Keynes
In conjunction with the M1 widening schemes and the widening of the A421 between M1 Junction 13 and Bedford that is already underway[1] proposals have been put forward to also widen the A421 between the M1 junction 13 and the Kingston roundabout in Milton Keynes.[4] Exhibitions were held in June 2005 which rejected proposals to re-route the road in favour of widening the current road. The scheme was given in 2005 an estimated total cost of £33 million.[5] The scheme is currently seeking funding through government bodies and other sources[6]. [edit] Notable events[edit] Five seconds of fameThe A421 Tingewick bypass, near Bicester has a minor claim to fame as the location of the then fastest speeding incident ever recorded[7] by British police, in March 2003. Andrew Osborne, 31, of Leamington Spa, was filmed by a mobile speed camera while travelling at 157 mph (about 252 km/h) on a motorcycle. His friend Neil Bolger, 30, of Gaydon, was clocked at 148 mph (about 238 km/h). Both were convicted of dangerous driving, imprisoned for 28 days and banned from driving for two years (with a compulsory re-test). [edit] Blind driverBlind Martine Brooks drove along the newly constructed A421 Great Barford Bypass (From the A1 Black Cat Roundabout to Bedford) and back to raise money for charity.[8] The drive took place two days before the official road opening, and she was accompanied by Frank Branston (Mayor of Bedford), Steve Clarke (Teacher and Navigator), and Denise Hubbard (Driving Instructor and Car Owner). [edit] External links[edit] References
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