Hagbourne Hill - next phase of work starts 14 September
The work, which will include building a new roundabout and changing the profile of the road to improve safety, will take until late summer 2016 to complete. When the work is finished the road will be renamed as the B4493.
It will be done while work on the A34 at Milton and north facing slip roads at Chilton are also underway. Motorists using the area will need to plan their journeys to take into account diversions and delays.
Benefits being delivered
The work will deliver a number of benefits including:
· A new roundabout to replace the current t-junction at A417 and Hagbourne Hill
· The new roundabout will have a greater capacity and make turning manoeuvres safer
· Improved drainage on the A417 at the new roundabout
· Better and safer commuting from Didcot to A34 south and from Didcot to Science Vale
· Improved visibility along Hagbourne Hill
· Improved links to the A34.
Two phases
A number of road closures will be needed and traffic will follow signed diversions during the work. It will be carried out in two phases:
Phase 1 September 2015 – February 2016 – involves lowering the crest of the hill between Chilton Road and Chilton Village. The carriageway level will be lowered by up to 2m in places. This work also requires the diversion to existing utilities and includes and improvement to the highway drainage. All of Hagbourne Hill will be closed except for access to residents and businesses during this phase, the diversion will be via Rowstock roundabout.
Phase 2 February 2016 – August 2016 – involves the construction of a new roundabout on the junction with the A417. This phase includes the straightening of Hagbourne Hill at the junction with A417, improving the drainage on A417 and better pedestrian facilities at the junction. During this period, Hagbourne Hill will be closed between Chilton Road and the A417, the diversion here will be via Chilton Road.
A lot of work to do
County Councillor David Nimmo Smith, Cabinet member for transport, said: “The county council is investing a massive amount in improving the road network so that it can meet the demands of future development in the Science Vale area.
“The end result will be a far better set of roads meaning drivers and other road users can get around more safely and effectively.
“But in the meantime there will be disruption and diversions in place, so we are urging everyone to find out how their journeys could be affected and make travel plans to avoid delays as far as possible.”
More information on the work is available at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/hagbournehill and details of the work being done at Chilton and Milton, as well as information on travel planning, is online at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/travelchoices here you can also sign up to email bulletins for each of the schemes.