2:19pm Friday 1st August 2008
Fresh calls have been made for a new junction to ease congestion for drivers coming and going through Abingdon.
The Vale of White Horse District Council wants to see a full road junction installed with the A34 at Lodge Hill, to the north of the town.
The four-way junction would allow drivers travelling to and from the south of Abingdon along the trunk road - Dunmore Road - to get to the north side without having to drive through the town.
Councillors have agreed to write to the Highways Agency and Oxfordshire County Council, asking them to consider the scheme.
Residents and Abingdon Town Council have long campaigned for a Lodge Hill Interchange.
Drayton district councillor Richard Webber said: "The recent Abingdon Integrated Traffic Strategy (Abits) road changes have sought to address the congestion which Abingdon suffers from during some periods.
However, this really is tinkering with the fundamental problem. There is only one long-term solution to Abingdon's problems - we must reduce the numbers of vehicles coming into the town.
"The Lodge Hill proposal will not be cheap but it is much the cheapest of the many options available to ease Abingdon's transport problems, such as a new river crossing."
Ock Meadow councillor Samantha Bowring also supported the call for the new junction.
She said: "Abingdon needs action now to address the pollution which affects the town."
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