DfT approves 22.5m funding to cut congestion on A421

Today, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling visited Bedfordshire to announce £22.5m of new investment in the A421, which will enable the last stretch between Milton Keynes and the M1 to be turned into a dual carriageway.

This vital road upgrade will ease traffic in and around Milton Keynes as well as unlocking thousands of jobs and new homes.

Following today’s DfT’s approval of the project's Business Case, a total of £23.5m of Local Growth Fund is contributed by SEMLEP. Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes are providing an additional £4.6m to meet the project’s full costs. 

When the scheme is complete, motorists will benefit from faster and safer journeys. Currently there are nearly 30,000 vehicles using the road every day – more than double its capacity.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said, "Better transport facilities don’t just help people get around, they help them get on – connecting them to jobs, opportunities and supporting economic growth.

"This important project will complete the dualling of the A421 between the M1 and Milton Keynes, improving journeys for residents and opening up opportunities for businesses, employment, housing and leisure activities in the area."

Councillor James Jamieson, the Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said, "We are delighted to receive the confirmation of this government funding. The upgraded A421 road will provide future and existing residents with improved infrastructure that will open up opportunities for leisure activities, housing and employment. It will also help take traffic away from local parishes, increase safety, and benefit businesses and commuters."

In total, 3 kilometres of carriageway will be widened linking Junction 13 of the M1 with the distribution site at Magna Park. This is the third and final part of large-scale project to improve roads between the Kingston roundabout and the M1.

Hilary Chipping, Acting Chief Executive of SEMLEP said, "Completing the dual carriageway on the A421 from Eagle Farm in Milton Keynes to Junction 13 on the M1 will improve a key piece of the east-west infrastructure, critical to the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge Growth Corridor. It will open up more housing and employment growth opportunities in Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.

"I am delighted that this project has finally been approved by the Department for Transport. This is the result of strong partnership working between Central Bedfordshire Council, Milton Keynes Council and SEMLEP."

Photo:

Iain Stewart MP for Milton Keynes South and Government's champion for the Oxford-MK-Cambridge Growth Corridor

Jason Longhurst, Director of Regeneration and Business Support,  Central Bedfordshire Council

Duncan Sharkey, Director of Place, Milton Keynes Council

Hilary Chipping Acting Chief Executive, SEMLEP

Cllr James Jamieson, Leader Central Bedfordshire Council

Secretary of State for Transport, Rt. Hon. Chris Grayling MP

Grant McConochie, Morgan Sindall Group (construction contractor)