Black Cat roundabout's history brought to life in animation

The notorious Black Cat roundabout is on the junction between the A1, A421, and Bedford Road, just south of St Neots.

It takes its name from the garage and car repair workshop which opened on the junction in the 1920s.

It wasn’t until 2004 that the black cat truly came to life, when a black cat structure was placed on the roundabout by four locals.  

“From early on it was quite obvious the roundabout was something quite significant,” said former parish councillor Jack Pike, who was one of the four locals who crafted the original black cat statue.

“When I retired from being a parish councillor in the early 2000s, I gathered together a few of my engineering friends and we put together a plan to construct and install a black cat statue on the roundabout.” 

The original black cat statue – which now resides in Dr Pike’s garden – was placed on the roundabout in January 2004, taking its shape from a pawtrait of the cat on the original garage clock tower.  

The original black cat in 1920 (Image: National Highways)

Jack added: “First of all, the idea was to construct the cat with plywood, but my friend Clive said he could cut it in metal, and we took it from there.

“We made the first small cat, which now resides in my garden because when there were upgrades, the bigger roundabout required a bigger black cat!” 

To celebrate the junction's past, National Highways has released a new animation showcasing the history of the Black Cat roundabout.

The Black Cat in 2004 (Image: National Highways)

From its first inception in 2004, to what happened when cat burglars stuck in 2007, and the cat-astrophic incident of vandalism in 2019. 

Paul Salmon, senior project manager at National Highways, said: “One of the most frequently asked questions we receive is ‘what will happen to the black cat statue’.

“We fully understand the importance of the black cat as a local landmark, and one of our project ambitions is to leave a purr-fect legacy, so don't worry we will be looking after the cat and her kittens during construction.

The Black Cat Robbery in 2007 (Image: National Highways)

“And rest assured that the black cat will be returned once the upgrade is complete.” 

National Highways is currently putting plans in place for the start of main construction on the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements.

National Highways plans will see the creation of a new 10-mile dual carriageway linking the A1 Black Cat roundabout in Bedfordshire to the A428 Caxton Gibbet roundabout in Cambridgeshire.

The catastrophic graffiti incident of 2019 (Image: National Highways)

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

When built, the new three-tier junction at the Black Cat will allow traffic to flow on the A1 by travelling under the junction.

The new dual carriageway (which will be a continuation of the A421) will flow freely, crossing over the A1 on a bridge, elevated above ground and continue to Caxton Gibbet. The A1 will pass in a cutting beneath the A421. 

The plan for the Black Cat Roundabout in 2024 (Image: National Highways)

The improvements will help drivers save up to an hour-and-a-half on their journeys every week.  

The scheme is expected to open to traffic in 2027.    

For the latest information about the A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet improvements:          

• Visit www.nationalhighways.co.uk/a428, follow National Highways on X @A428Cat or Facebook via www.facebook.com/A428BlackCat    

​National Highways' plan for the Black Cat Roundabout in 2027 (Image: National Highways)