Archive for category: News

To enable the installation of narrow lanes, which is required for the safety of our contractor workforce, a stretch of the A34 between the Hinksey Hill and Marcham interchanges, and the Lodge Hill slips will be closed to traffic overnight on the following days:

• Southbound direction only – Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January
• Northbound direction only – Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 January

The overnight closures will take place between 9pm and 6am. Advanced warning signs have already been placed along the A34 to inform motorists.

Designated diversion routes will be in place during the closure:

• For vehicles travelling southbound (on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 January): Exit the A34 at the Hinksey Hill Interchange and follow the sign-posted diversion route to re-join the A34 at the Marcham Interchange. From Hinksey Hill, proceed along local roads through Kennington and Sandford-on-Thames, continuing on the A4074 towards Clifton Hampden. From Clifton Hampden, follow the route west along the A415 through Abingdon, to re-join the A34 southbound at the Marcham Interchange.
• For vehicles travelling northbound (Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 January): Exit the A34 at the Marcham Interchange and follow the sign-posted diversion route to re-join the A34 at the Hinksey Hill Interchange. From the Marcham Interchange, proceed along Marcham Road (A415), continue via Dunmore Road, and then onto Oxford Road (A4183). Follow Oxford Road north to access the A34 northbound at Hinksey Hill.

The A4183 Oxford Road will also remain open and serve as part of the diversion route to/from Hinksey Hill during this period.

National Highways will also be undertaking regular maintenance work on the A34 at the same time, so any closures outside of the four dates stated above are due to their work.

Details of the closures are available on one.network and our project webpage has been updated with the information.

The Community Committee have decided to run Clubs and Societies Day as an annual event. Therefore the 2026 event will be held on Saturday 11th April 2026. The Town Council have enlisted the support of Abingdon Events Partnership for Clubs and Societies Day 2026.

If your club or society are interested in being a part of this event please register your interest by following this link.

Hope & Clay will return briefly during the half-term week (27–31 October) to carry out a detailed investigation under an approved County permit, scheduled during a period of lower traffic.

Traffic management will include:

1. Two-way temporary traffic lights with smart signal control
2. Temporary pedestrian signals
3. A traffic-management operative on standby for manual control (7 a.m.–7 p.m.)
4. A pedestrian ramp on the east side of the temporary crossing

The purpose of this work is to determine whether the unidentified pipes found on-site are redundant and can be safely removed, or whether alternative action is required.

Once this investigation is complete and findings are confirmed, Hope & Clay will proceed to the Section 278 stage, involving the full construction of the roundabout with new lanes and layout, followed by reinstatement and site tidy-up.

Should the investigation indicate that further steps are necessary, these will be addressed in coordination with the relevant authorities.

The project team recognises the ongoing disruption and appreciates the continued patience of residents and road users.

If the investigation proceeds as planned, Hope & Clay will be required to submit a clear, safe, and efficient plan for completing the remaining pipework and roundabout construction. The Town Council will continue to advocate for the final phase to be delivered as efficiently as possible.

Please click the links below to view Cllr Giddins’ correspondence with David Wilson Homes, and the original Section 278 agreement.

DWH September 2025

Email Response to Cllr Giddins

DWH2 October 2025

2376958 – 2023 01 06 Abingdon Land North of Dunmore Road Package 5 s278 52596_ Highlighted obligations

Oxfordshire County Council has received £1,473,679 from the Government’s Active Travel Fund to improve a section of the National Cycle Network Route 5 (NCN5) in Abingdon by making it easier and more enjoyable to walk, wheel and cycle in the town centre. We would like to hear your feedback on draft designs for improved cycleway and pedestrian facilities on East St Helen Street and at the junction of High Street with Bridge Street and Stert Street.

The survey is open from 12pm on Tuesday 30 September 2025 (these links won’t work until the survey has opened) until 11:59pm on Tuesday 28 October 2025. It is open online at  https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/east-st-helens-street-active-travel  (short url:  http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/eaststhelenstreet). On this site, people will be able to:

• download and view copies of the plans
• download and view two artist’s impression drawings of the proposals
• download and view digital copies of the poster and flyer associated with the engagement
• see frequently asked questions about the proposals
• complete a short survey sharing their feedback on the proposals

We will also be holding two public events where people can drop in to look at a short exhibition and the plans. Members of the project team will also be at the events to assist with specific questions anyone might wish to ask relating to the proposals:

• Saturday 11 October 2025 10am – 3pm at Abingdon Guildhall: Old Magistrates’ Court, Bridge Street Abingdon OX14 3HU
  Old Magistrate’s Court Room is accessible for wheelchairs via an accessible lift
• Tuesday 14 October 2025 4pm – 7pm at Abingdon Guildhall: Roysse Room, Bridge Street, Abingdon OX14 3HU
  Roysse Room is fully accessible for wheelchairs

You can get a hard copy at  Abingdon Library, Abingdon Town Council and Vale of White Horse District Council

Completed paper surveys need to be returned in a sealed envelope, addressed (in the centre of the envelope) to FREEPOST Oxfordshire County Council, County Hall, New Road, Oxford, OX1 1ND – marked on the envelope’s top left corner as ‘Abingdon East St Helen Street Active Travel’’ consultation, by the end of 28 October 2025.