A traffic improvement scheme on a major A-road has officially been signed into a council’s budget along with a developer having been chosen.
The county council has approved the inclusion of the Homes England capital grant of £17 million towards the A34 Lodge Hill scheme on its capital programme.
The authority to delegate a contract to the developer has also been given, which is due to be signed next month.
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The junction, which lies just north of Abingdon on the route to Oxford currently only has north-facing slips, but the proposed scheme will improve junction capacity at Lodge Hill, as well as making cycling and walking easier and safer in the area.
County councillor for Abingdon North Nathan Ley said: “I’m really pleased the county council has been successful in gaining all the funding needed to allow the A34 Lodge Hill scheme to progress.
“This week as a cabinet we have been able to sign off on incorporating the £17 million grant from Homes England within the capital programme, and it’s encouraging that the design and build contract is due to be signed imminently too.
“Next summer will bring about the start of the build phase. We’ve all been waiting a long time for this and when it comes it will be a milestone we can all celebrate.”
The junction transformation will allow for shorter journey times by adding new south-facing slip roads to the A34, cycle and pedestrian safety improvements and layby upgrades on the major A road.
The council had secured funding for the scheme from several sources, including contributions from developers, the Housing Growth Deal and funding directly from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Following a review of the scheme in summer 2022, a funding gap was identified.
This is when Homes England – the UK government’s housing arm – awarded £17 million to the project.
County councillor for Abingdon South Neil Fawcett said: “It is more than 20 years since the full junction at Lodge Hill was first written into the county council’s transport plan.
“I am delighted to have been at the table when the full funding package was finally agreed.
“Now that it’s got the go ahead, I look forward to the build contract being signed in the new year.”
Mr Ley explained that local councillors and MP Layla Moran had worked extremely hard to get approval, and raise money for the scheme.
He said a resolution to the Lodge Hill issue is something people want to see more than anything.
Construction is anticipated to start in summer next year, and last approximately two years.
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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.
Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1
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