Families in Abingdon are worried diverting night-time traffic off the A34, and on to roads near their homes, will mean sleepless nights.

The Highways Agency plans closing one side of the A34, and then the other, for a total of 14 nights next month between Hinksey Hill, near Oxford, and Marcham.

Initially it was going to divert traffic through Marcham but after villagers protested, it u-turned to Abingdon.

However, the exact route has not yet been confirmed.

It is thought vehicles could come off the A34 at the Marcham Road exit, turn off along Colwell Drive and head up Copenhagen Drive to Lodge Hill roundabout.

David Wynne-Jones, 65, of Lovelace Close, off Dunmore Road, was unhappy at the prospect of vehicles rumbling past his house - and the noise.

He said: "I think the road would be extremely busy. More noise would be a very big concern."

Lesley Legge, leader of Abingdon Town Council and an Oxfordshire County councillor, said noise could be problematic.

She said: "It is not only the numbers of vehicles, but the noise problems for residents living close which will be disruptive.

"The town centre will also suffer if the traffic volumes are too large, as traffic jams can easily develop along Marcham Road where the ring road comes in."

Highways Agency spokesman Stuart Thompson said: "Potentially there are two different routes in Abingdon that could be used.

"We are looking at which route is the best one and would cause the least disruption to local residents and people using the A34.

"Unfortunately, that means, at times, traffic has to be diverted along other routes."