A421 dualling to M1

[SteveA30]

I may have missed a mention of this somewhere else on here but, the missing bit up to the M1 from MK is now open, creating a dualled A421 from A1 to a point west of MK. This just leaves the small matter of 15 rbts in the MK area, one of which is signalled.

[c2R]

I may have missed a mention of this somewhere else on here but, the missing bit up to the M1 from MK is now open, creating a dualled A421 from A1 to a point west of MK. This just leaves the small matter of 15 rbts in the MK area, one of which is signalled.

That's good news, although I've a suspicion that it will make traffic on the bodge of a M1 J13 junction much worse... but that's a project for another day.

[roadtester]

More information/discussion here.

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=34981

I was there about a week or two and it really is pretty impressive compared with the old SC link of several years ago.

I suppose it might come to be seen as a bit lavish if the A421 mainline takes a different route heading towards Oxford in the long run, but probably worth it just to improve access to MK anyway, I'd have thought.

[c2R]

I suspect it will facilitate the building of additional houses and tin sheds beyond those being built at Eagle Farm

[Hdeng16]

I suspect it will facilitate the building of additional houses and tin sheds beyond those being built at Eagle Farm

The road north parallel to the motorway past John lewis looked nearly ready to open too.

[Hdeng16]

I may have missed a mention of this somewhere else on here but, the missing bit up to the M1 from MK is now open, creating a dualled A421 from A1 to a point west of MK. This just leaves the small matter of 15 rbts in the MK area, one of which is signalled.

That's good news, although I've a suspicion that it will make traffic on the bodge of a M1 J13 junction much worse... but that's a project for another day.

It is a bodge, but was built with this dualing in mind.

[jackal]

Good to see this - a very solid improvement with (perhaps surprisingly) no new roundabouts or other at-grade junctions.

I may have missed a mention of this somewhere else on here but, the missing bit up to the M1 from MK is now open, creating a dualled A421 from A1 to a point west of MK. This just leaves the small matter of 15 rbts in the MK area, one of which is signalled.

That's good news, although I've a suspicion that it will make traffic on the bodge of a M1 J13 junction much worse... but that's a project for another day.

It is a bodge, but was built with this dualing in mind.

But presumably they have not opened the infamous 'jet lane' so it remains an unofficial rest and defecation area?

[Bryn666]

Good to see this - a very solid improvement with (perhaps surprisingly) no new roundabouts or other at-grade junctions.

That's good news, although I've a suspicion that it will make traffic on the bodge of a M1 J13 junction much worse... but that's a project for another day.

It is a bodge, but was built with this dualing in mind.

But presumably they have not opened the infamous 'jet lane' so it remains an unofficial rest and defecation area?

Bet you a quid it stays as derelict as the identical one on the A683 has. Makes you wonder why they're in DMRB as an option if no-one wants to open them.

[SteveA30]

As I joined the new D2 from the Bedford direction in the dark and lashing rain, with lane markings difficult to see, I was puzzled by a van coming in from the left, so I guess that was the jet lane. Is that an 'insider' word?

[jackal]

If they have opened it, bravo. The dualling plans showed it unchanged.

Bet you a quid it stays as derelict as the identical one on the A683 has. Makes you wonder why they're in DMRB as an option if no-one wants to open them.

A closed jet lane on a pointless quasi-GSJ roundabout - the pinnacle of British highway engineering.

[KeithW]

As I joined the new D2 from the Bedford direction in the dark and lashing rain, with lane markings difficult to see, I was puzzled by a van coming in from the left, so I guess that was the jet lane. Is that an 'insider' word?

Last time I was down there at the J13 end there was a construction camp and it looked as if they were building an onslip from the Cranfield/Wavendon Road which flies over the A421 and M1. In fact you can see the work in progress on GSV.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.03706 ... 312!8i6656

[c2R]

As I joined the new D2 from the Bedford direction in the dark and lashing rain, with lane markings difficult to see, I was puzzled by a van coming in from the left, so I guess that was the jet lane. Is that an 'insider' word?

Last time I was down there at the J13 end there was a construction camp and it looked as if they were building an onslip from the Cranfield/Wavendon Road which flies over the A421 and M1. In fact you can see the work in progress on GSV.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.03706 ... 312!8i6656

I think that work was to demolish the existing bridge and build a wider one - I don't think there is any plan to build a permanent onslip there.

[frediculous_biggs]

The "jet" lane is indeed open, and the raised tarmac between that and the roundabout had two parked lorries on it the other day

[jackal]

The "jet" lane is indeed open, and the raised tarmac between that and the roundabout had two parked lorries on it the other day

Good to hear it's open. It's been a de facto rest area for years and old habits die hard.

[Bryn666]

The "jet" lane is indeed open, and the raised tarmac between that and the roundabout had two parked lorries on it the other day

Good to hear it's open. It's been a de facto rest area for years and old habits die hard.

I owe you a quid, Jackal.

[jackal]

[thatapanydude]

Great to see - I have not been to MK since the covid pandemic but I do remember the scheme being in its infancy last year so nice to see it finished.

I do remember the long slog home from MK when it was S2 from the BP garage right through to Kempston and onto Black Cat - it only feels like a few years ago but in fact its coming to 10 years since the D2 Bedford to M1 and 14 years from the Black Cat to G.Barford sections opened - how time flies !

Next step on the A421 in my opinion is the A43 to the D2 section west of Bucks and slowly extending the D2 west of MK to Bucks as well !

[KeithW]

Great to see - I have not been to MK since the covid pandemic but I do remember the scheme being in its infancy last year so nice to see it finished.

I do remember the long slog home from MK when it was S2 from the BP garage right through to Kempston and onto Black Cat - it only feels like a few years ago but in fact its coming to 10 years since the D2 Bedford to M1 and 14 years from the Black Cat to G.Barford sections opened - how time flies !

Next step on the A421 in my opinion is the A43 to the D2 section west of Bucks and slowly extending the D2 west of MK to Bucks as well !

That's relatively easy to the the Bottledump Roundabout , the challenge is getting rid of the the verdammt roundabouts from there to Eagle Farm. I also recall the old route heading through Great Barford which honestly usually moved fairly well , the pain was the old Woburn Road past Marston Moretaine and Brogborough.

[owen b]

I cycled over the A421 this afternoon on the minor road from Salford to Woburn Sands. It was good the bridge has been reopened and the dualling is fully open and free flowing. The last time I went that way the bridge was closed which resulted in a lengthy detour. I see that some OS online mapping now has this stretch dualled eg. the 1:50,000 on SABRE Maps.

I also had a brief look down at the M1 all lane running scheme. To my non-expert cursory eye it looked more or less ready, with lane one (former hard shoulder) coned off.

It's quite impressive cycling over eight lanes of M1 and four lanes of A421.

I do enjoy planning cycling routes which accidentally on purpose include places of Sabristic interest .

[M4 Cardiff]

Great to see - I have not been to MK since the covid pandemic but I do remember the scheme being in its infancy last year so nice to see it finished.

I do remember the long slog home from MK when it was S2 from the BP garage right through to Kempston and onto Black Cat - it only feels like a few years ago but in fact its coming to 10 years since the D2 Bedford to M1 and 14 years from the Black Cat to G.Barford sections opened - how time flies !

Next step on the A421 in my opinion is the A43 to the D2 section west of Bucks and slowly extending the D2 west of MK to Bucks as well !

That's relatively easy to the the Bottledump Roundabout , the challenge is getting rid of the the verdammt roundabouts from there to Eagle Farm. I also recall the old route heading through Great Barford which honestly usually moved fairly well , the pain was the old Woburn Road past Marston Moretaine and Brogborough.

Making the Buckingham Bypass a D2 would be a bit tricky, as there is development on both sides, although I agree that A43 to Finmere and Buckingham East to Bottledump would be relatively simple.