Popular UK road has speed limit cut to 50mph for | Tech News

A well-liked A-road may have speed limits cut for effectively over a 12 months, with specialists warning of “tailbacks” and “congestion”. Sections of the A34 shall be dropped from 70mph to 50mph for 15 months. 

The new speed restrictions will apply 24 hours a day on each the northbound and southbound carriageways. National Highways restrictions will apply on the southbound carriageway between Bagley Wood Road overbridge and the Faringdon Road overbridge. Meanwhile, the northbound carriageway may even have a speed restriction between the Wooton Road underbridge and Lodge Hill Interchange overbridge.

Despite 15 months being allotted for the works, the National Highways Road Traffic Act Notice suggests it may take a 12 months and a half. 

The discover reads: “It is expected that the works would last for approximately 15 months starting on or after Monday 7th July 2025, but provision has been made in the event of works overrunning beyond 18 months under Section 15(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act. The overnight carriageway closures would take place between 20:00 hours and 06:00.”

National Highways can also be anticipated to start additional work on the A34 by Oxford in July.

However, David Henwood, Oxfordshire County Council’s shadow cupboard member for transport management, instructed the work may trigger critical delays.

David predicted the work to “undoubtedly cause more tailbacks and yet more congestion” across the space. 

He even instructed that a 20mph drop was “excessive” with a 10mph discount to 60mph a “far more sensible” answer. 

David defined: “70mph to 50mph is extreme and should in some instances in poor climate situations create hidden risks when braking in poor climate.

“The way to introduce speed limits to to be consistent; consistency delivers safer road practice. Inconsistency delivers uncertainty and poor management.”

Road closures may even be launched from Monday, July 7 in a single day between 9pm and 6am. The route shall be closed between Hinksey to Marcham carriageway on Monday for barrier work. 

Meanwhile, the A34 southbound Chieveley carriageway shall be closed between the exit and entry slip roads. 

County council deputy Neil Fawcett harassed security was essentially the most important issue when organising roadworks. 

Neil defined: “The A34 has a high fee of deaths and critical accidents even when there is not work occurring.

“It is imperative that we put the safety of road users and workers first when a major project like the Lodge Hill slip roads is being delivered.

“It can be utterly irresponsible to recommend that shaving a few seconds off a journey is value risking people’s security for.”