PEOPLE in South Oxfordshire can finally share their views on a proposal for ‘sorely needed’ works on a key interchange on the A34 – more than three years after the funding was secured.

Oxfordshire County Council has launched a consultation on creating a long-awaited new south-facing slip road at Lodge Hill, Abingdon.

Layla Moran, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, wrote to Highways England and Oxfordshire County Council last month asking for an ‘urgent’ progress update on the Lodge Hill A34 diamond junction plan as a number of residents were growing ‘increasingly anxious’.

The Liberal Democrat MP commented: “Lodge Hill is a vital project that my constituents have been waiting on for three years now.

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“With new housing going up in North Abingdon, we need to have this infrastructure in place.

“Frankly, Abingdon residents deserve better than these ongoing delays.”

The aim of the improvements is to increase junction capacity, providing new access and shortening journey times.

The work will include new roundabouts to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the town.

It will also support the new housing development.

Traffic calming for nearby local roads is also being proposed to limit the number of vehicles on country roads.

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Councillor Yvonne Constance, cabinet member for transport, said: “The proposals for the new Lodge Hill exit on the northbound A34 and work in the surrounding area will offer real improvements for the quality of life of those who live and work in the Abingdon area.

"It is also expected that the proposals will reduce congestion in Abingdon and at the Marcham interchange as many vehicles will no longer need to travel through the town centre.

“The proposed work means that people living or working in central Abingdon can look forward to reduced congestion and that new housing has the right supporting infrastructure.

“I welcome residents to visit the online exhibition and to offer their views.”

Since Oxfordshire County Council secured funding in 2017, it has been working on designs, surveys, stakeholder engagement and land acquisition ahead of a planning application in Spring 2021.

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Construction is currently scheduled for early 2022 subject to approval from Highways England, with completion in Summer 2023.

While it is not possible to hold a public drop-in exhibition on the plans amid the pandemic, the council will hold a virtual event to present the proposals and provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions and offer comments.

Members of the project team will be online to answer questions about the scheme using a live chat function.

These sessions will be held from 2pm to 3.30pm on Monday, March 15, and 7pm to 8.30pm on Thursday, March 18.

The consultation, which will be opened until Monday, March 29, can be accessed at A34LodgeHill.exhibition.app

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