Ickleton Road Carriageway Maintenance

I have just been given notice that Oxfordshire County Council is due to undertake carriageway maintenance work on the B4507 Ickleton Road between the Ham Road junction and the next westerly junction with the road to Letcombe Regis (see map above). 

The works are programmed to start on Tuesday 6 September 2016 and are expected to last for three weeks, subject to any bad weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances during construction. The works will include widening and resurfacing of the existing carriageway, drainage improvements and the replacement of road markings. 

In order to keep traffic disruption to a minimum, the works will be carried out under a road closure. A signed diversion route will be put in place.

This work is long overdue and will be of benefit to residents in and around the Wantage area.

Cow Lane Bridge Reopening

I have only just had the chance to wander down Cow Lane in Grove to see the new bridge over the railway line referred to as the 'Hanneys crossing'.  This has been the latest scheme in the area which has benefitted from the GWR Electrification Project.  You will see from the photos above, that the benefits are obvious on this well-used recreational route.  The track in the past has been muddy and wet and some times impassable, but thanks to some funding I used from my Highways budget to gravel the area, and more recently, Network Rail agreeing to my request to make it good after their works in progress, all is now greatly improved.

This well-known traditional by-way is well-used by horse-riders, cyclists, pedestrians and dog walkers on a regular basis and is a 'green corridor' in the village of Grove.  I have already commented on the new housing developments planned for Monks Farm and the immediate vicinity. Plans for urbanising this route and constructing crossings over it will be detrimental to the village of Grove.  Indeed, on my walk today, I met cyclists and families enjoying a walk on a Sunday afternoon in the countryside.  This should always remain a quiet and open space to be enjoyed by all of us for the future.

This, of course, is the second bridge in Grove to have to be rebuilt and I blogged here about the official opening of the A338 Wantage Road bridge back in July.  Next to be upgraded I believe will be the Denchworth Road bridge, currently no information on this to date.

Grove and Wantage Extravaganza

This afternoon the Grove and Wantage Extravaganza was held at the Recreation Ground in Grove. The weather was changeable, but that did not seem to dampen the spirit of the crowds of people attending. There were lots of side shows, displays and events for everyone to enjoy.  As you can see from the photos above, there a number of interesting cars dotted around the show. Congratulations to Roger Williams and all on the Extravaganza Committee who helped to organise this memorable event.

Roadworks Update

Catching up after returning from my summer holidays, I thought I would update residents on roadworks which are either ongoing or forthcoming over the coming weeks which could affect us.

A34 Chilton Improvement

Local road closures for five nights started on 15th August this week.  These closures will be in place from 8.30pm until 6am and are needed so that the team can carry out remodelling and resurfacing work on the roundabout.

There will also be nightly lane closures on the A34 southbound for around eight weeks to tie the new off-slip into the main road.  From 30th August for around six weeks, the northbound lane 1 will be closed nightly from 8pm - 6am.

I am sure many of you have noticed that much has been achieved over the last few months as the site takes shape which will benefit commuters for years to come.

Frideswide Square Improvements

Work to carry out some minor repairs and alterations on Frideswide Square in Oxford will begin on Monday 22nd August.

The County Council's contractor, Skanska, will begin two weeks' worth of work to slightly alter the kerb line outside the Royal Oxford Hotel along with repairing and strengthening a small area which has been damaged by vehicles running over the paving.

Work is being undertaken to take advantage of the quietest time of year on the roads, and hopes to be complete in time for St. Giles Fair in Oxford.

You can sign up for regular updates and newsletters regarding traffic management around the County by going to the Oxfordshire County Council website link Travel Choices.

My next surgery date in September will be on

Saturday 3rd September 10.30am - 11.30 am in Grove Library.  No appointment necessary.

Apologies for missing the August deadline for the newsletter this month, but I was on holiday at the time.  I shall update you with my usual report in the September issue.