A petition calling for improvements to be made to one of Cambridgeshire’s busiest stretches of road has been sent to the Minister for Transport.

Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly started the petition for an upgraded A428 between Caxton Gibbet and the Black Cat roundabout south of St Neots in November last year.

The petition, which was also supported by The Hunts Post, has attracted 1,740 signatures.

It has been sent by Mr Djanogly to Robert Goodwill MP at the Department for Transport ahead of the Roads Minister’s meeting with Councillor Ian Bates, chairman of the county council’s economy and environment committee, to discuss Cambridgeshire’s transport issues.

Mr Djanogly said the road is “becoming an imperative issue for Cambridgeshire and Bedford-shire” due to proposed developments of 20,000 new homes in the A428 corridor which links the two counties, particularly around St Neots, with Wintringham Park and Loves Farm East.

He added that traffic levels were already high with almost 13,000 vehicles per mile using the A428 on average each day.

“Despite improvements to the Black Cat roundabout, it is generally accepted that a long term solution will require a dualled A428 from Caxton Gibbet to or over the Black Cat roundabout,” Mr Djanogly said.

“An improved A428 is vital to unlocking growth in this area and assisting businesses in the Eastern region between Cambridge and Bedford.”

The Huntingdon MP also raised concerns about the effect of heavy traffic on villages neighbouring the A428, including Yelling, where residents are subject to rat-running and speeding.