THE A34 is dangerously congested and it needs urgent improvement. In this year alone six people have died on the road, most recently a three-year-old child after an accident involving several cars at Hinksey Hill. In fact this is the second multi-vehicle pile-up on the road in just one month, and given that across the country these kinds of incidents are usually rare it is time that immediate safety measures are put in place.

As well as the safety risk, successive studies have told us that historic underinvestment in our transport infrastructure is holding our region back, and I want Oxfordshire to realise its full potential. The A34 is an important commuter route into Oxford and the Science Vale, as well as a national and European freight route. Repeated accidents, congestion and unreliability of journeys is undoubtedly impacting on our businesses, restricting connectivity and access to labour markets. Oxford’s economy is world-leading in key sectors like space and biotech but there is vast potential for even more exciting economic development – providing we aren't held back by failing to invest in the basic infrastructure we all know is necessary, like housing and the A34.

I have been campaigning on safety and capacity issues on the A34 ever since becoming an MP, lobbying transport ministers and even the chancellor. We’ve seen a raft of measures brought in to improve key pinch points- remodelling the Milton roundabout, Chiltern slips, Junction 9, and commitments to improve Botley and Peartree along with a new Transport Management System to give drivers early warning of congestion so they can choose alternative routes. These will make a crucial difference, easing congestion and helping to speed up incident management.

But a new Strategic Study has shown that the A34 is continuing to restrict housing and economic growth within our region and makes a strong case for longer term interventions. The Oxford to Cambridge corridor will be operating at significantly over capacity by 2035 if no long term improvements are provided, with a forecast increase in travel of 32- 40%.

We must now take this case directly to Ministers, and I will shortly be bringing a delegation from the constituency to meet with the Roads Minister to see how we can find a way forward.

Local people are right to want to see action taken urgently. We need a resilient transport network for the future. Interim measures, like the traffic management system are essential to manage the current situation but without a long-term capacity solution central Oxfordshire will simply grind to a halt. Investment on the A34 is now more important than ever.