2 Thursday, January 12 - Wednesday, January 18, 2017
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By Adam Flinn
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UP to £50million of funding to make improvements to the A34 has been confirmed by the chancellor of the exchequer Philip Hammond, it was revealed last week. In a letter sent to Newbury MP Richard Benyon and Oxfordshire MPs Ed Vaizey and Nicola Blackwood, Mr Hammond outlined the funds as part of the Government’s road investment strategy 2015-2020. Technology enhancements including the introduction of vehicle detection loops which monitor vehicles passing certain points, CCTV cameras and driver information systems on the A34 between the M4 and the M40 have been allocated up to £25million. Another £25million has been put aside to make improvements to the Peartree and Botley interchanges in Oxford. The money was fi rst announced for the road in 2014, but Mr Benyon has said this has now been brought forward, with the full funding made available. He said: “We’re all delighted, this is going to make a big difference to safety on the road. “The funding was costed as far back [as 2014] and there was a programme to have it delivered by 2020, but my understand-
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£50m confirmed for A34 upgrades to better safety
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ing is that has been brought forward, so it’s not fair to say it’s a re-announcement of the money. “The Department for Transport and Highways England are working very hard to try and get a programme for delivery on this, and that is the next phase of our activities, to make sure it all happens as quickly and as urgently as possible. “Some of it is very easy to do, and my feeling is some elements of this money could be spent in the next year or 18 months.” In his letter, Mr Hammond wrote that Highways England is currently analysing both
schemes ahead of implementation, although no dates were given for when work could start. His letter continued: “I recognise the importance of maintaining momentum on these projects and I have asked my officials to engage with the Department for Transport to ensure there are no overdue delays in the process.” MP for Abingdon and Oxford West Nicola Blackwood said: “Ensuring existing commitments are honoured and fighting for Oxford’s fair share of investment have been key to my campaign for improvements to the A34.
“Technology can make all the difference in giving drivers early warning of congestion and addressing these pinch point junctions is essential, now we must take a joined up approach to ensure improvements are delivered in a reasonable time frame”. The push for safety improvements came after 45-year-old Tracy Houghton, her two sons Ethan, 13, and Josh, 11, and her partner’s daughter Aimee Goldsmith, 11, died in an eight-vehicle crash on the A34 near the East Ilsley junction on August 10. The A34 Action Group was set up in the aftermath of the
crash, which demanded changes be made to the road in order to improve safety. A debate in parliament in October led to roads minister John Hayes promising an immediate safety study into the road, as well as considering the longterm option of making the road a motorway. Mr Benyon added: “We are going to continue to put pressure on the Government to make sure this is happening. “We’re not going to take our foot off the pedal just because of this announcement, this is an absolute priority.”
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Rape arrest OXFORD: A man has been arrested on suspicion of rape following an incident at Oxford Brookes University’s Botley campus on Tuesday night. A Thames Valley Police spokesperson confirmed the force is investigating a rape that happened at around 8.10pm on Tuesday. One man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and remains in custody as we went to press yesterday. About a dozen police cars were seen on Harcourt Hill, just off the A34 yesterday morning and a forensic tent was put up in Raleigh Park.
Thousands stolen OXFORD: Thousands of pounds worth of money, accessories and electrical items were stolen in a series of burglaries in Oxford last month. Police are appealing for information after four burglaries in the city on December 29. The first burglary happened between 9.30am and 11.30am at a house in Woodstock Road where burglars smashed their way into the home using a brick before carrying out a messy search and stealing a large amount of property,
including over £10,000-worth of jewellery, shoes and handbags, police said. And at around 5.30pm offenders smashed in the backdoor of another Woodstock Road home before snatching a large amount of US Dollars. Between 2pm and 7.30pm offenders gained entry to a house in Banbury Road and stole electrical items, including a Samsung laptop and an iPod Nano. And between 3.30pm and 6.30pm, thieves gained entry to a house in Davenant Road and stole high value electrical items including an Xbox, PS4 and Apple TV internet box. Contact police on 101.
Theft of plates CHIPPING NORTON: Number plate theft is “still a problem” across the county and, in particular, Chipping Norton, according to police. Thames Valley Police is urging people wanting tamperproof screws to get in touch with them at chippingnortonnhpt@thamesvalley.pnn. police.uk The force said to email your details and police will deliver the screws as soon as possible.