Residents of Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse District are poised to reap the benefits of improved connectivity, as well as the realization of new affordable and for-sale homes in the
north Abingdon area.
Homes England has recently finalized a Grant Funding Agreement (GFA) with Oxfordshire County Council, allocating £17.3 million in infrastructure grant funding for the A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme.
Originally, the Vale of White Horse District Council granted planning approval for the Abbey Fields development site in north Abingdon, envisioning approximately 950 dwellings. However, due to the existing strain on local roads, housing development was at a standstill until Oxfordshire County Council could secure funding and commence improvements to the Lodge Hill junction on the A34.
Thanks to the grant funding from Homes England, the scheme is set to enhance junction capacity at Lodge Hill, paving the way for progress on the remaining 820 homes at the Abbey Fields site. The initiative aims to reduce travel times by introducing new south-facing slip roads to the A34, diverting traffic away from congested Abingdon town center roads. Currently, the junction only features north-facing slip roads and sits between Abingdon and Oxford.
Pauline Schaffer, Director of Infrastructure Funding at Homes England, expressed satisfaction with the contract with Oxfordshire County Council, highlighting the agency's commitment to providing strategic transport infrastructure. This investment will not only unlock housing development in north Abingdon but also foster broader housing and economic growth in the region.
Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, emphasized the project's significance in enhancing connectivity and promoting alternative modes of transportation. Securing funding from Homes England marks a pivotal moment for the A34 Lodge Hill scheme, signaling progress toward construction and meeting the long-standing needs of Abingdon residents.
Following the Grant Funding Agreement, Oxfordshire County Council will proceed to engage its chosen contractor for the design and construction of the scheme. Detailed design work is slated to commence in March 2024, with construction anticipated to commence in the summer of the same year.