When I left Abingdon at 6:50am this morning there were people in cars, at junctions, or sitting on fold-up chairs, at junctions, counting the traffic. Returning home twelve hours later they were still there, or just packing up.
Andy pointed out that additional traffic sensors (across road strips) have appeared recently on the ring road, Vineyard, High Street, etc. He wonders if these have to do with the proposed new houses to the North of Abingdon. Or is it just the Council’s love of counting traffic.
There is a website where you can download the annual traffic counts from various static traffic counters in Oxfordshire – with about half a dozen in Abingdon.
From 2000 to 2014, there is not the obvious Oxfordshire upward trend in vehicle use that I expected. But that could just be more a reflection of the level of economic activity.
There are traffic sensors all across town – Drayton Road, the bypass are included. Let’s hope that the survey produces figures that will support the notion that running high volumes of traffic on roads not designed for that purpose is not a good idea and that additional housing without planned and upgrade infrastructure is irresponsible.
There were three way lights on the double roundabout last night at 8.30pm. I think they were trying to get them to work ahead of starting work on putting in the new crossing. Looked like the parked cars on Springfield were causing more of a problem than usual. I image the traffic is going to get much worst on Drayton Road and Ock Street very soon.
Maybe the lack of obvious upward trend is due to the fact that people are avoiding Abingdon town centre like the plague…due to the horrendous traffic problems?
Several sensors Along the route to Radley, 12 Acre Drive, towards Lodge Hill. In Abingdon Road Oxford, and St Giles, St Aldates (people not sensors).
Apparently the air pollution at the Ock Street, Marcham Road junction is the highest in the County. Vale planners have their hands tied as Government planning inspectors give the go ahead to developers on appeal to build more housing in Abingdon despite the traffic problems. Traffic problems in Abingdon are not paid any account when granting permission for more housing. Developers win OK.
Thanks for the information, Janet. The question now arises as to what our MP is doing. With her increased majority, she should be kicking down the Secretary of State’s door and asking for a serious review. of policy.
If it is the government’s policy that developers can build irresponsibly and without proper regard for infrastructure and health issues, this should be articulated clearly and the MP should come and face the local music.
Fat chance.
Fat Chance indeed – she assured me that those barriers in Stert Street will be removed and problem sorted – I have her promise in writing, over a year ago!!
Nothing done.
One of the big issues over the traffic issues was the change to two lane traffic along the Vineyard a few years back. This created more traffic on the Oxford Road and the junction at Radley Road. When the centre of Abingdon was one way, we never had this problem.
Secondly, the junction at Drayton Road is outdated. The two mini-roundabouts were built when there were far fewer vehicles on the road. This needs to be one larger roundabout that keeps the traffic flowing.
The biggest problem of course is more vehicles on the road. These are the times we live in. A small town like Abingdon can only do so much, however a south-bound exit onto the A34 at Lodge Hill is now a necessity.
I think the problem in Stert Street goes far deeper than anyone expected and will be a major task to rectify. However, I don’t understand why since the surveying and assessment was carried out nothing further appears to have been done, unless it is such a major issue that it has had to go through planning/approval/budget allocation.
ppjs – now that Nicola has a large-ish majority she will have lost all her leverage with ministers . While we were in a marginal seat it was in their interests to help her look as if she was achieving something – now they will regard it as safe.
The chap supposedly counting traffic at the Oxford road roundabout was fast asleep in his camping chair at 9am yesterday morning. Well worth his wages!!
They would have been counting very slowly today between 5 and 6pm – town centre, Vineyard, Ock Street all gridlocked.
Hester, I think you are probably right; and the previous leverage was not very effective in getting infrastructure and planning controls improved.