Latest news with #A34
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Newbury MP calls for new A34 slip road safety signs
An MP is calling for new safety signs to be put on the slip roads leading from two villages on to one of the South's busiest A roads. Lee Dillon said such signs would make the roads near East Ilsley and Beedon easier to navigate while more expensive, long-term solutions were drawn pleased that some stretches of the A34 have recently been resurfaced, the Liberal Democrat MP for Newbury said he is hoping to get a bill through Parliament to make the roads Highways, which is responsible for the road, said it takes safety very seriously. It said it expected work to make improvements on the A34 southbound, East Ilsley, which started last month, will finish on sections of safety barrier on the southbound verge area are also being upgraded, and a new section will be installed in the gap to join the existing sections together. The Newbury MP made his comments as part of a wide-ranging interview with BBC Radio Berkshire breakfast presenter Phil Mercer. He said one of the hot topics he was dealing with locally is the trialing of a longer no-go zone for vehicles wanting to drive through the town centre at Berkshire Council has banned cars from going through the town centre between 10:00 and 23:00. Previously the roads were only closed until 18: this is only a trial, Dillon said he thinks making the town centre car free for longer will make Newbury a more attractive place at he said it was ultimately for local people to decide whether the trial should become permanent or not. Dillon also talked of his frustration that the hospital where he was born world in 1983 will not be rebuilt until 2037 at the very hospital, on Craven Road in Reading, was set to be replaced under the last government's new hospitals this has been delayed as the current government says the previous plan was not affordable. A year on from being voted in, Lee Dillon, like all MPs, has a lot on his plate. An avid football fan and Friday night player himself, he says the game gives him an escape from the pressures of the he says it's important that MPs of all parties work together wherever possible to improve the country's fortunes there's at least one politician and fellow football fan he might struggle to find common ground with. For while the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is a renowned Arsenal supporter, Newbury's Dillon is a life-long Manchester United fan.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
A34 to close between Chieveley and Chilton over weekend
A stretch of the A34 is be closed for resurfacing road will be shut northbound over the weekend from the Chieveley Interchange in Berkshire and Chilton Interchange near Didcot, Oxfordshire, for work between Beedon and West closure will start from 21:00 BST on Friday and the road will reopen at 06:00 on Highways will put in place a "long diversion", which it apologised for but said it was the "most suitable option for both car and HGV drivers". Other overnight work to upgrade two sections of safety barrier in the southbound verge near East Ilsley which started in June means the road's speed limit has been cut to 40mph (63.4km/h) during the day with the work scheduled to finish on 19 July. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Sun
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major A-road to see speed limit slashed to 50mph for 15 MONTHS sparking ‘major tailback' fears for thousands of drivers
A MAJOR A-road is set to see its speed limit slashed from 70mph to 50mph for the next 15 months. The drastic change has left drivers concerned about increased traffic and tailback on the busy commuter road. 3 3 It comes as National Highways is set to begin work on the A34 through Oxford next month. While they are yet to confirm a specific start date, the speed reduction is believed to start on or after Monday, July 7. It will affect both northbound and southbound traffic. Local councillors have expressed concern that the safety measures could cause traffic delays. Running from the A33 and M3 to the A6 and A6042, the road serves as a major transport route from Southampton to Birmingham and Manchester. Oxfordshire County Council's shadow cabinet member for transport management, David Henwood, told the Oxfo r d Mail it will "undoubtedly cause more tailbacks and yet more congestion", and suggested a 60mph limit would be "far more sensible". Henwood added: "The way to introduce speed limits is to be consistent; consistency delivers safer road practice." However, the county council's deputy leader, Neil Fawcett, emphasised the importance of keeping workers safe. Fawcett said: "The A34 has a high rate of deaths and serious injuries even when there isn't work going on." He added: "It would be completely irresponsible to suggest that shaving a few seconds off a journey is worth risking people's safety for." Moment drunk lorry driver swerves across major A-road missing traffic by INCHES It is expected to last for 15 months while National Highways completes work on the southbound slip road at Lodge Road Interchange, Abington. Southbound traffic will be affected between just north of the Bagley Wood Road overbridge, and just before the Marcham Road Interchange. Northbound traffic is affected between the Wooton Road underbridge, and just north of the Lodge Hill Interchange. Diversions will be redirected via the A415 and the A4183, Hinksey Hill and Oxford Road. It leaves a stretch of road through Oxford that will remain at 70mph. In addition to the speed changes, all laybys in the affected area will be closed duringthe work. The width of the A-roads lanes are also reduced from 3.5 metres to 3.25 metres in lane one, and 2.75 metres in lane two. Drivers are urged to remain cautious particularly when passing lorries. These measures are set to stay in place 24 hours a day. While not yet confirmed, any overnight closures will take place between 8pm and 6am. National Highways' said that the changes will ensure road safety during embankment and barrier work, and the construction of two new junctions. They said: "The temporary closures, speed and lane width restrictions and diversion routes would be clearly indicated by traffic signs when they are in operation during the works period." Last week, a major crash on the road caused delays for drivers, cutting the average speed of traffic to 10mph. It led to delays of up to 30 minutes between the Kidlington Junction and Southern By-Pass Road.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nine-mile stretch of A34 to be closed for next TWO weekends
A long stretch of the A34 is scheduled to close for the next two weekends while National Highways resurfaces sections of the road. The nine-mile section begins at Junction 13, the Chieveley Interchange in Berkshire, which connects the A34 with the M4. It ends with the Chilton Junction near Didcot, which links the A34 with the A4185. A spokesperson for National Highways said: 'We need weekend closures due to the depth of resurfacing we have to do in some sections.' READ MORE: The first weekend closure will begin at 9pm on Friday, June 27 and last until 6am on Monday, June 20 while the second will start and end at the same time, only from Friday, July 5 to Monday, July 7. The suggested diversion route takes vehicles east along the M4 to Junction 8/9 at Maidenhead. Map of the section that will be closed (Image: Google Maps) From there, drivers should exit and travel north on the A404 until the M40 Handy Cross roundabout, where they can take the first exit onto the M40 northbound. Experience the pulse of Oxford at your fingertips 🗞️ With our flash sale, Oxford Mail keeps you updated for less: only £4 for 4 months or save 40 per cent on an annual subscription. Don't miss out on what's happening locally #DigitalDeal #LocalJournalismhttps:// — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) June 16, 2025 Motorists should then continue on the M40 until Junction 9 when they can exit for the A34 and travel south to Oxford. The total diversion travel distance is approximately 70 miles and will take drivers more than an hour. National Highways added: 'We apologise for the long diversion. However, it's the most suitable option for both car and HGV drivers. 'This is essential resurfacing work. We have chosen weekend work as the least disruptive option overall.'
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Race Across the World star Sam Gardiner's cause of death revealed after he died in horror crash aged 24
RACE Across the World star Sam Gardiner's cause of death has been revealed after he died in a horror crash. The 24-year-old, who competed in the BBC One series alongside his mum Jo, was killed when he lost control of his car last month. 2 2 An inquest heard today Sam died from a "devastating brain injury" following the May 26 horror. The court was told he hit a kerb on the central reservation of the A34 in Stockport before crashing into a tree. Sam was rushed to hospitl but sadly could not be saved and was declared dead three days later. Assistant coroner Christopher Murray adjourned the hearing for a full inquest to be held on October 13. Broadcast in March 2020, Sam and Jo ventured across Mexico and Argentina as part of the second series of the BBC show. They were unable to finish the final leg after running out of money. Jo and Sam's dad Andrew said they were "devastated" in an emotional tribute. They added: "Sam left us far too soon, and while words will never fully capture the light, joy and energy he brought into our lives, we hold on to the memories that made him so special." Sam's parents said his time on the BBC show "opened Sam's eyes to the wonder of adventure". is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
