TWO major road schemes which could help traffic flow in and around Abingdon have been sidelined by transport planners.

Calls for a new A34 junction at Lodge Hill and a second Thames crossing in the town are not likely to go ahead, Oxfordshire County Council said.

This is because there are no major housing developments planned for the town, it said.

A total of 18,000 homes and 12,000 jobs are currently planned for Didcot, Wantage, Grove and Harwell up to 2026 – meaning they will get help with their roads.

Ian Hudspeth, council cabinet member for growth and infrastructure, said: “Should financial circumstances change, we may well want to look again at Abingdon and what can be delivered.

“However, it must be understood that traffic modelling undertaken in 2009 clearly shows that a two-way Lodge Hill interchange simply would not deliver real traffic alleviation benefits in the town and may actually increase congestion on some routes.”

The council’s local transport plan stated: “There is a strong local desire to build an all- movement junction on to the A34 at Lodge Hill to enable movements from the north of the town and so reduce town centre traffic.

“There is also a local desire for a second River Thames crossing for the town to relieve traffic congestion in the town centre.

“Funding for these schemes could only be available through government grant, or if significant contributions from developers were available.

“Given that there is not a substantial amount of growth planned in Abingdon by 2026, neither central government nor developer funding is likely to be available.”

It said there would be limited benefits to town centre traffic levels from the Lodge Hill scheme as this would increase traffic on other parts of the road network, hitting its funding chances.

Peter Wiblin, who runs West End Newsagents in Bury Street precinct in Abingdon, and has called for road improvements, said: “I was never convinced by plans for a second exit at Abingdon North on the A34, but I think it’s too early to say that a second river crossing will never happen.

“I believe a second river crossing off Audlett Drive would help villages like Appleton, Sutton Courtenay and Long Wittenham.

“It would get drivers on to the A34 quicker and that would help the town centre.”

The council’s plan also pledges to improve bus services to Drayton Road, Wootton Road and Northcourt Road, to increase access from the town to key facilities.

It also promotes Radley as the rail connection for Abingdon and pledges to improve bus and cycle links between the two.

Consultation on the draft plan starts on Monday, October 4, and ends on January 9.

Have your say online at oxfordshire.gov.uk/ltp or on 01865 815093.