A MAJOR housebuilder claims its new 200 home development will bring more than £4 million of investment to Abingdon which will go towards improving the highway interchange at Lodge Hill.

David Wilson Homes, the developer for the North West Abingdon site Kings Gate, is set to erect a mix of one, two, three, four and five bedroom properties, 35 per cent of which will be affordable housing.

The £4 million funding for Abingdon will also be used to support a local school by bringing more than £2.9 million worth of investment for primary education facilities.

In addition to the education funding the developer also said it will bring £746,114 in the form of a highways contribution to Oxfordshire County Council.

The remainder of the investment will also cover bus shelters and cycle parking contributions, which the developer believes will help to 'enhance' public transport in Abingdon.

Oxford Mail:

Oxfordshire County Council has said the £746,114 highways contribution will go towards the long-awaited A34 Lodge Hill Interchange slip roads project.

In an online consultation the county council said it wants to improve the highway interchange at Lodge Hill by adding new south-facing slip roads, in addition to the existing A34 north-facing slip roads.

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.

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

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."

David Wilson Homes is now taking appointments for homebuyers for the new houses located on Dunmore Road.

Rob Allen, Sales Director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “As our Kings Gate development progresses, we will be investing in the area financially whilst also underpinning approximately 400 jobs for local people throughout the construction process.

“We’ll look forward to seeing this community progress as the first residents move in later this year.”

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