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 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
• Reprovision of a private road
• Harwell Southbound layby upgrades on the A34
• Improved pedestrian and cycle facilities through shared footpaths as well as controlled and uncontrolled crossings.
• Localised traffic calming works

Minimising the impact

Traffic management plans are being developed in order to minimise disruption and keep vehicles flowing during the works. We will coordinate the work to minimise the impact on the network as far as is practical. Further details of this will be available closer to construction start.

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 contract with Homes England for the provision of infrastructure grant funding through Homes England’s Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land (BIL) Fund

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

Next steps

The A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme is being constructed/delivered in phases. 

Traffic calming works 

As part of the project, we will be undertaking traffic calming on the local network. This includes the installation of a new zebra crossing on the junction between St Swithun’s Road and The Avenue in Kennington. 

Work is expected to begin on Monday 28 October 2024, lasting approximately three weeks. Due to the nature of the work, a section of St Swithun’s Road (between Kirk Close and The Avenue) will be closed to traffic, and a traffic diversion route will operate via Bagley Wood Road, Oxford Road, Sugworth Lane, Kennington Road and The Avenue. The road closure will be in place for the entire three-week period, with the exception of Sunday 10 November 2024 for Remembrance Day. Access will be maintained to residential properties that front the section of St Swithun’s Road that will be closed.

Work to install the new zebra crossing will be carried out between the hours of 7:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday. 

The new crossing will operate as an informal crossing until the lighting has been installed, which is expected to take place in early 2025. The slight delay to the installation of lighting is a result of long lead-in times for the manufacture and supply of lighting equipment.

Contact us

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