Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly confirmed the long-awaited go-ahead for the new A421 dual carriageway between Bedford and the M1 at junction 13, on Wesdnesday, July 16.

The Government said it brought the scheme "an important step closer to construction starting later this year".

Ms Kelly was announcing a package of road improvements totalling £6 billion, also including widening to the A14.

Her command paper further outlined that hard shoulder
running will be considered on the M1 between junctions 10 and 19.
She said: "I am determined to get the best from our road network so that motorists in the East have reliable journey times on roads that are safe and well-managed.

The greatest barrier to this is congestion. It is frustrating and has serious consequences for the economy and the environment.

To achieve this we need a smarter programme of investment. This includes measures like opening the hard shoulder when traffic is at its heaviest."
Car-share and tolled lanes schemes will also be looked into, she added.