Thames Water has apologised after a burst water main caused a weekend of traffic chaos for motorists on the A34, however vital improvements to the trunk road are still several years away.
On September 2, a water main burst on the A34 – which forms part of Oxford’s ring road – resulting in flooding across two lanes on the southbound carriageway and sink hole to form near the footpath.
The road was closed between Hinksey Hill Interchange and Botley Interchange, with drivers coming from Peartree Roundabout faced with an hour and half queue to make what is normally a seven minute journey.
READ MORE: Oxford's A34 causes travel chaos as it is closed all weekend
The southbound carriageway was closed for the whole weekend as Thames Water worked to fix the leak
The road fully reopened the following Monday (September 5) and Thames Water apologised for the inconvenience, stating “we know it’s not acceptable to be losing so much precious water”.
Following the disruptions, there have been renewed calls to improve the infrastructure along the A34, to prevent similar issues in the future.
During the incident, Vale of White Horse district councillor Emily Smith, who represents the ward of Botley and Sunningwell, shared updates with residents on her social media.
The Lib Dem councillor told this newspaper there are wide-ranging concerns from people in her ward about the viability of the A34, as well as the congestion and air pollution it creates.
“It does not take much for one incident on the A34 to happen, and for it to cause travel chaos,” she explained.
Traffic was forced to queue while the road was closed
These concerns are combined with timing of a consultation launched by Oxfordshire County Council that proposes six trial traffic filters on key routes across Oxford, which could be introduced from next summer.
There are fears these filters, which aim to reduce traffic levels in the city, will push more congestion onto the A34.
National Highways, which manages and improves England’s motorways and major A roads, is currently exploring opportunities to reduce congestion and improve safety on the road – as part of the A34 improvements project.
This project is one of a number across the country which could be delivered in the third Road Investment Strategy (RIS3).
The RIS3 the Government’s aims and proposals for investment in the strategic road network from 2025 to 2030.
Where National Highways aims to improve
As it stands, a public consultation on improvements has not been undertaken in relation to the A34 and final decisions on the overall balance of the RIS3 Investment Plan will not be published until 2024.
Work to improve the road, therefore, remains several years away.
A National Highways spokesperson said: “Currently we have an improvements project in the pipeline which will be exploring opportunities to reduce congestion and improve safety on the A34 between the M4 and M40.
“This scheme will be assessed and final decisions will be published in 2024.”
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This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.
You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry
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