National Highways are "disappointed" to announce that a legal challenge has delayed construction on the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements scheme.

Construction was planned to commence this month to help "transform" the region. 

However, progress has been halted by an application to the High Court, submitted by the road sustainability group Transport Action Network (TAN) earlier this year, challenging the government's approval of the project.

A National Highways spokesperson said: "We were hoping a decision on the application could be made before the end of the year, but the decision is now looking as though it will happen early 2023, because of this, we have had to delay the start of construction. 

"As this is an ongoing legal case, we can’t provide any further information. However, we are continuing to assess the impact and will provide you with further updates as quickly as possible."

National Highways' scheme will see a new 10-mile dual carriageway built, linking the A1 Black Cat roundabout in Bedfordshire to the A428 Caxton Gibbet roundabout in Cambridgeshire.

Both existing roundabouts will be upgraded into modern, free-flowing junctions, with a new junction added at Cambridge Road, improving access to St Neots and its train station.    

Planning permission (Development Consent Order) was granted by the Secretary of State back in August 2022, but TAN's application has called for a judicial review of the Secretay's decision to grant consent.

TAN is challenging the decision on the grounds of biodiversity, the need for the scheme and climate change.   

When the challenge was submitted earlier this year, Chris Todd, director of TAN, said: “Building new roads is an inefficient way of growing the economy, while causing untold environmental damage."

Despite the challenge, the improvements are wanted by many residents and were backed by Cllr for Priory Park and Little Paxton, Stephen Ferguson and Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly.

The spokesperson added: "Following our recent public information events, we know the improvements are very much wanted by local people, commuters and businesses.

"We are continuing our surveys of land, water, and ecology and finalising the design of junctions and bridges to minimise impact when we start building the road."  

"Our plans will help transform the region, improving journeys between Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge by bringing communities together and supporting long-term regional growth."