Black Cat Roundabout

Black Cat Roundabout is the name of the roundabout on the junction between the A1 and A428 Bedford road just south of St Neots. It was reconstructed in 2005-6 as part of the Great Barford bypass works to allow access to the new dual carriageway bypass.

It takes its name from the garage and car repair workshop which opened in the 1920's at the junction called the Black Cat Garage. In later years the garage was converted to a night club, and then a restaurant, before becoming derelict for many years. In the 80's the current large covered petrol station was opened on the site.

A metal black cat sign was installed on the roundabout in January 2004, taking its shape from the cat on the original garage clock tower. During construction of the Great Barford bypass the black cat was temporarily relocated to the construction site office, before being returned to the roundabout upon completion in 2006. However, this sign has been stolen as of the summer of 2007. On 12th August 2008 it was announced that a replacement Black Cat had been installed on the roundabout.

The roundabout can regularly be heard being referred to on traffic reports due to the major traffic jams it causes on the A1.

Popular References

The Black Cat Roundabout is mentioned briefly in The Oxford Murders (film).

External links

* [http://www.blackcat-on-a1.co.uk/ Photos of Black Cat Roundabout]
* [http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/9252.aspx Highways Agency - History of Black Cat Roundabout]
* [http://www.cbrd.co.uk/badjunctions/1-421.shtml Bad Junctions - Black Cat Roundabout]
* [http://www.highways.gov.uk/news/pressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=671 Highways Agency Press Release]