A428 BLACK CAT TO CAXTON GIBBET
DFT · DFT_0031_1819-Q1
Department page: Department for Transport
| Data as at | Rating | End date | Whole-life cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | Green (the department's own assessment) | Exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commercial Interests) - Commercial interests. | Exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commercial Interests) - Commercial interests. |
| March 2025 | Green (the department's own assessment) | Section 43 - Commercial interests | Section 43 - Commercial interests |
| March 2026 | Green (the department's own assessment) | Exempt under Section 43 - Commercial interests | Exempt under Section 43 - Commercial interests |
Each year’s cost is shown with its price basis. Costs are not compared between years: the March 2024 and March 2025 reports state no price basis, and from March 2026 costs are in 2024/25 prices.
The department’s commentary
This is the department’s own commentary. It may use different prices from the table above, so its figures may not match.
March 2026
Rating: The SRO Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) rating remained Green in Q4 25/26, consistent with the position reported in Q4 24/25. The A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet scheme passed the halfway point of its construction phase at the start of Q3 25/26 and continues to perform in line with agreed delivery commitments. Construction activity is progressing well across all key locations, including the Black Cat junction upgrade and the opening of new local junctions and route improvements. There have been no changes to the approved cost or benefits forecasts, and the scheme remains on track to deliver within the agreed funding envelope.
Schedule: Exempt under Section 43 - Commercial interests
Cost: Exempt under Section 43 - Commercial interests
March 2025
Rating: Compared to financial year 23/24-Q4, the Infrastructure Project Authority's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 24/25-Q4 remained at GREEN. This is primarily due to the following factors‚ The A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet is now over one year into the construction phase and remains on plan against the delivery commitments. Construction activities are progressing at pace with significant progress being made across the length and breadth of the scheme. The scheme has begun on the construction of all 18 new bridges and in early 2025 the scheme opened the first road bridge and junction to traffic. There have been no changes to the cost or benefits forecasts and remain on target and within approved funding.
Schedule: Section 43 - Commercial interests
Cost: Section 43 - Commercial interests
Source: NISTA Annual Report 2024-25 (data)
March 2024
Rating: Compared to financial year 22/23-Q4, Senior Responsible Owner's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 23/24-Q4 decreased from Amber to Green. This is primarily due to the following factors. The A428 Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet is in the construction phase, achieving Start of Works milestone in November 2023. Chief Secretary to the Treasury approval of the updated Full Business Case and release full funding for the scheme was received in October 2023.
Schedule: Exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commercial Interests) - Commercial interests.
Cost: Exempt under Section 43 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (Commercial Interests) - Commercial interests.
Source: IPA Annual Report 2023-24 (data)
Names, figures, dates, ratings and commentary are as the department reported them. Where a rating, cost or date is withheld, the file’s wording is shown. Every major project →