'Urgent review' of new road layout needed says MP

Drivers travelling along Oxford Road towards Abingdon no longer have right of way at the Lodge Hill junction

An Oxfordshire MP has called for an urgent review of a new temporary road layout around the Lodge Hill junction in Abingdon.

Liberal Democrat Layla Moran said constituents had raised concerns about the change, which has been put in place during the construction of new slip roads.

Traffic travelling southbound on Oxford Road towards Abingdon no longer has right of way at the junction with the A34.

Oxfordshire County Council, which is in charge of the works, said public safety remains its "priority" and its contractor would arrange for additional signage.

The new give way markings mean that vehicles coming out of Abingdon and turning right onto the A34 have priority over oncoming traffic.

On a social media post, residents commented that the change was "dangerous" and an "accident waiting to happen".

Ms Moran, who is the MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said: "Several constituents have raised their concerns about the change in priorities at the Lodge Hill junction, particularly regarding the removal of the filter lane and lack of signage.

"I have always been incredibly supportive of the Lodge Hill redesign, but it is crucial that these vital works do not compromise safety for road users at such a busy junction.

"I have written to the Highways Team at Oxfordshire County Council to raise these concerns and to seek an urgent review of this road layout.

Oxfordshire County Council has promised additional signage at the junction

Oxfordshire County Council said that the road layout had changed to allow the Lodge Hill works to progress to the next phase.

The authority said it would be in place while construction happens on a new roundabout.

A spokesperson said: "Work to amend the white road markings took place earlier this week and appropriate signage (reduce speed now, change priorities ahead and give way) placed at both 200 metres and 50 metres approaching the junction.

"Speed limits on the road have also been reduced to 30mph.

"Public safety remains our priority so as a consequence, our contractor will arrange for additional signage to be put in place to make it as clear as possible for road users."