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St Andrew's

Following the construction of the A1 dual carriageway shortly after the second world war (though the "cut" for the road was made in 1939), Sawtry became increasingly divided as the traffic volume escalated. However, early photographs taken in the 1960s show a blissfully empty A1 with a vehicle somewhere in the distance up Stanegate Hill (now part of the "local" road since the construction of the motorway).

A number of fatal accidents and frequent injuries and minor accidents occurred with Sawtry-bound traffic having to cross an increasingly busy A1, a flyover was installed in 1986.It was constructed sufficiently wide to take a planned motorway underneath.

Eventually, following a public enquiry (for which major support came from the local community) the present 8-lane motorway was completed in 1998. It's construction had taken about 18 months during which time we all experienced major travel difficulties. Would we be without it now? Perhaps those living nearest will say "yes". Most of the rest of us are delighted by the communication opportunities we and our local businesses now have.

With both a "north" and "south" flyover, Sawtry people can once again safely access the motorway and local roads. Perhaps most importantly of all, people can get to the new sports facilities at Greenfields, and without fear of serious traffic problems, walk or cycle across the fens through the many minor roads.