A1 underpass at Biggleswade could cost up to £10m
A feasibility study is yet to be completed on the project
An A1 underpass at Biggleswade could cost between £6m and £10m, according to initial estimates given to two local authorities.
But a feasibility study has yet to be completed on the project, which is the first key stage of the process.
Local residents risk their lives dashing across the road from Tingey’s Corner or footpath seven in the north-west of the town, with the journey challenging for anyone with disabilities or accompanying children.
The underpass would link Biggleswade with Upper Caldecote, Ickwell and Northill. A joint working party has been set up by Biggleswade Town Council and Northill Parish Council to see if a scheme can be progressed.
A social media post after a recent meeting of this working group confirmed: “Central Bedfordshire Council has yet to adopt the A1 underpass as policy.
“But the council has said that it remains committed to getting a safe crossing and is open-minded as to what (format) this will be. The important first step is for a feasibility study for an underpass to be produced.
“Reliable sources have provided us with an initial cost estimate of between £6m and £10m, although no detailed design or assessment of ground conditions has been compiled.
“A feasibility study could begin using some of the funding that CBC receives annually from Active Travel England. A combination of government funding from the Active Travel England budget, along with Section 106 (developer) contributions could cover a large proportion of the construction costs.”
The working party acknowledged: “Getting an underpass was never going to be easy and it’s not helped by the uncertainty around the future of the A1 in Bedfordshire.
“Possible upgrades to the Biggleswade and Sandy roundabouts, and the government’s planned new town at Tempsford are two of the current issues.
“But the uncertainty around these developments shouldn’t hold up our aim to secure a safe A1 crossing between Upper Caldecote and Biggleswade.
“Northill Parish Council and BTC will continue to meet quarterly. Some initiatives are planned for 2026, which we hope will bring the underpass closer to becoming a reality.”
Independent Potton councillor and CBC’s executive member for sustainability and climate resilience Tracey Wye said previously: “I absolutely agree that a safe crossing is required for this area, particularly as the opposite side of the A1 to Biggleswade is being developed.
“I’m terrified. I see people trying to cross the A1 through the traffic, then standing in the central reservation, before venturing back into the carriageway to reach the other side.
“The underpass is one of two proposals. We can go under or over the road. A third mentioned by National Highways at one stage of a zebra crossing was laughable.
“There are pros and cons with an underpass and a bridge, which we’ve explored before. Among the pressing issues is the cost of both schemes, and the maintenance of whatever gets built eventually, as well as the appetite of National Highways to tunnel under the A1.
“Will women go into a darkened underpass? There needs to be work around what constitutes a safe and affordable crossing.”