A34 Lodge Hill Interchange

Why we are investing here

The area has seen and will continue to see significant growth in the coming years, and investment is needed now so that the transport network can meet the demands that will be placed upon it in the future. This will be done by increasing the junction capacity and overall network performance and resilience.

The planning application for the A34 Lodge Hill scheme was submitted in October 2022, and planning approval for the scheme was granted in September 2023. 

The project will provide new infrastructure to:

• optimise the junction capacity at Lodge Hill
• provide new access and shorter journey times
• enable more than 1000 new homes in Abingdon by 2031
• support and enable economic growth in the wider Science Vale area, increasing opportunities for local people

What you can expect

The A34 Lodge Hill scheme will include the following key construction elements:

New south-facing slip roads

• Dumbell configuration (one bridge, two roundabouts where the slip roads come off the A34 and join up with the A4183 Oxford Road)
• Upgraded pedestrian and cycling facilities:
• Extension of shared footway/cycleway on the eastern length of the A4183 (south of the southern roundabout) to provide a continuous cycle link.
• Inclusion of an uncontrolled crossing and island on the A4183 (near to the garages) to the south of the southern roundabout. Between the north and southbound bus laybys.
• Extension of the shared footway/cycleway across the western length of the southern roundabout.
• Inclusion of a Toucan Crossing on the south slip. Traffic modelling undertaken has confirmed that a Toucan Crossing at this location is acceptable.
• Designated pedestrian crossing point on the north slip and roundabout

Harwell Southbound layby upgrades on the A34

• Speed limit reduction from 50mph to 40 mph on A4183.
• Replacement of the south side parapet on the A4183 bridge
• Installation of new streetlights
• Improved landscaping
• Provision of the new access road to the existing businesses on the Egertons access road
• Localised traffic calming works

Minimising the impact

To ensure the safe construction of the project, various traffic management measures will be implemented, including narrow lanes on the A34, lane closures, temporary traffic signals, and some overnight road closures for specific safety critical activities.

Due to the project’s complexity, the work will be divided into five phases per roundabout. Traffic flow will remain uninterrupted for most of the project.

However, at the beginning and end, some lane closures and temporary traffic lights will be required to facilitate the work. These will be scheduled to minimise disruption, and exact dates will be provided on the webpage and communicated via social media. The same will be true for any weekend disruptions.

In case of an incident on the A34, traffic management will be minimised where possible to reduce congestion while maintaining safety

How it is being funded

The scheme is being funded through a combination of Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Housing Growth Deal funding, infrastructure grant funding from Homes England and Section 106 contributions from developers. The A34 Lodge Hill scheme was the first to enter into a contract with Homes England for the provision of infrastructure grant funding through Homes England’s Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land (BIL) Fund

Contracts with Balfour Beatty Group Limited, the county council’s appointed ‘design’ and ‘build’ contractor, were also signed during February and March 2024. The detailed design of the scheme is now underway, with construction on track to start in early 2025. 

Next steps

Work continues with the site compound, vegetation clearance and utility diversions, leading up to construction of the layby and the main works.

Contact us

If you would like to know more, you can contact us by email lodgehill@oxfordshire.gov.uk.