A34 junction roadworks get under way

South-facing slip roads are being added to the Lodge Hill A34 junction

Construction work for new slip roads on the A34 has started.

The junction at Lodge Hill, between Abingdon and Oxford, currently only has north-facing slip roads.

Oxfordshire County Council said it was adding south-facing slip roads, traffic calming measures as well as upgrading pedestrian and cycling facilities and the Harwell southbound layby.

The main construction work began on Wednesday and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

There will be temporary traffic lights between 21:00 and 05:00 on the A4183 and A34 southbound off-slip for about three weeks.

When the project enters its second phase, a temporary speed limit of 30mph on the A4183, as well as temporary traffic lights for some construction activities, will be in place until spring 2026.

Phases three to six will take place from spring to winter 2026 and will see some temporary traffic lights and overnight closures for final resurfacing works.

What is being done?

The scheme is partially funded by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

As well as the addition of south-facing slip roads, it will also involve a dumbbell junction - one bridge and two roundabouts - where the slip roads come off the A34 and join up with the A4183 Oxford Road.

The shared footway and cycleway on the eastern length of the A4183 will be extended to provide a continuous cycle link, the council said, as well as along the western length of the southern roundabout.

A toucan crossing will be installed on the south slip road, as well as a pedestrian crossing point on the north slip road and roundabout, and an uncontrolled crossing and island on the A4183 near to the garages.

The project is designed to increase junction capacity, shorten journey times, enable the construction of over 1,000 homes in Abingdon by 2031, and support economic growth in the wider Science Vale area, the council said.