Abingdon residents may have noticed the recent installation of seven speed indicator signs at various locations around town. These solar-powered devices, equipped with built-in batteries, will collect data on vehicle speeds, which can be analysed.

Several signs have been positioned near the town’s entry points, including Drayton Road and Oxford Road, where the speed limit is 30 mph. The speed indicator at Abingdon Bridge is situated in the recently implemented 20 mph zone.

Certain speed indicators, along extended road sections, such as Copenhagen Drive and Audlett Drive, both 30 MPH, can be manually rotated to check speeds from either direction.

A car had parked in the disabled bay directly opposite the barriers in Stert Street, bringing traffic to a halt as a 35 bus could not squeeze through. A couple of policemen arrived but the car’s driver could not be found.

Minutes ticked by, and the traffic queue grew longer and backed up Vineyard and Stratton Way. Then a man in a yellow hi-viz jacket, possibly from the bus company, took charge at the side of the bus and the policeman at the front. The bus slowly inched forward. Hi-Viz Man pulled back the barriers just enough so that the bus could squeeze through.

Other buses and lorries were able to follow with inches to spare.

The A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme has secured full funding. The additional funding needed came from Homes England, and Pauline Schaffer, Director of Infrastructure Funding at Homes England, says the project will unlock 820 high-quality homes.

Construction is anticipated to start in summer 2024, and last approximately two years. The project will add south-facing slip roads to the A34 at Lodge Hill. Oxfordshire County Council approved the scheme in September.

The relevant press releases are:

A34 Lodge Hill scheme to be fully funded (23 Oct 2023)

Works to improve junction capacity at Lodge Hill given planning permission (11 Sep 2023)

The new 20 mph and 30 mph signs have started to be put up in Abingdon. The speed limits in Abingdon will be 20 mph in residential areas and 30 mph on the ring road. Some of the main routes into town will change from 30 mph to 20 mph within residential areas. This includes Drayton Road (pictured), Marcham Road, Wootton Road, Oxford Road, Radley Road, and Audlett Drive.

The new signs are being put up gradually. The legal order will be enacted a few days before all the new signs are in place. This will allow the council to enforce the new speed limits from the start.

Speed indicator devices and other enforcement measures will ensure the new speed limits are adhered to. This will include fixed cameras, mobile cameras, and police patrols.