Oxfordshire County Council is working with contractors to create the new interchange for drivers at the junction north of Abingdon and the project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

There have been a series of alterations as a result of the work and drivers are now being alerted to a major hold-up.

From June 3, the northbound on-slip to the A34 will be closed for about four weeks.

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The junction at Lodge Hill at present only has north-facing slip roads, but the upgrade will add new south-facing slip roads, as well as making cycling and walking easier and safer in the area.

Traffic on the A34 near the Lodge Hill junction (Image: Ed Nix)

Adding the south-facing slip roads will reduce traffic in the town centre as some drivers will no longer have to travel through it to access the A34 southbound at the Marcham Interchange.

Highways bosses say stage one and stage two of the work has now been completed, with stage three about to get under way. The entire project is expected to be completed later this year.

Stage three involves:

• A34 northbound on slip realignment takes place and construction of north and south roundabout central sections.

• Continue construction of new A34 northbound off slip and new A34 southbound on slip.

• North roundabout verge works.

A county council spokesman said: “From June 3, the northbound on-slip to the A34 will be closed, for a period of approximately four weeks.

“The closure will be in place 24 hours a day, seven days a week during this period.

“The closure will facilitate the construction and tie-in of the existing slip road to the new north roundabout.

“A diversion route will be in place via the A4183 Oxford Road. Vehicles wishing to travel northbound on the A34 will need to use the Hinksey Hill interchange.

“A similar closure for the southbound off-slip will follow in early July. Further details of this will be communicated closer to the time.”

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran (Image: Contributed)

The interchange scheme near Abingdon is primarily funded by a £17m-plus grant from Homes England’s Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land (BIL) fund, with additional funding from developer contributions and the Housing Growth Deal.

In July last year it emerged that the budget for the work had risen to £36.09m to address rising costs.

For years, local councillors and Layla Moran, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, pressed the Government for the funding to allow the junction scheme to go ahead.

The Northern Bypass Road heading westbound away from Headington in Oxford was closed shortly before 3am on Wednesday, May 27 due to an ongoing police incident.

A significant emergency responders presence was seen on the road and traffic was prohibited from using the carriageway and slip roads at Marsh Lane for the rest of the morning.

READ MORE: Oxford: Road closed due to major police incident on A40

Thames Valley Police has now confirmed a man in his 20s died following reports of a fear for welfare incident, which occurred shortly after 2.45am.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We were called at around 2.45am this morning (May 27) following reports of a fear for welfare on the A40, near to Headington. 

“Emergency services attended but sadly a man aged in his 20s was pronounced deceased at the scene.

“His death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

“His family have been informed and are being supported.”

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The road remains closed westbound between Barton Lane and Marsh Lane, including the Marsh Lane flyover, as of 11.30am on Wednesday.

Drivers have been reporting long delays and congestion backed up to the Headington Roundabout and further along the A40 London Road.

Oxfordshire County Council has been approached on whether the Marston Ferry Road congestion charge point may be suspended while the A40 westbound and Marsh Lane access remains closed.

Candice Noonan, who works at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, has been shortlisted for the Patients’ Choice Award as part of the Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) Staff Recognition Awards 2026.

The Patients’ Choice Award celebrates staff nominated directly by patients or families and recognises care that goes above and beyond clinical duties, leaving a lasting impact.

Ms Noonan was nominated by a mother she supported following the stillbirth of her baby, who described her as a vital source of comfort in the days, weeks, and months that followed.

The nomination read: “There are no words to describe Candice – she is nothing short of incredible.

“I literally would not have coped without the bereavement midwife team and Candice stands out as someone who went above and beyond.”

The patient said Ms Noonan’s support continued long after she left hospital.

She said: “Candice was my go-to person to call when I felt like I couldn’t cope.

“She constantly validated me as a mother and always said the right thing.”

Although the patient never met Ms Noonan in person, she said her support was deeply reassuring.

She said: “What is extraordinary is that I have never actually met Candice as she wasn’t working the day [baby] was born.

“A phone call with Candice feels like I am being wrapped up in a hug and being given the tiniest bit of hope that I will get through this.”

Ms Noonan said: “To be shortlisted for the Patients’ Choice Award, for simply doing what I love, feels incredibly special and I am so grateful.

“It is such an honour to be a small part of each person’s journey.

“For this nomination to come from somebody in the depths of grief really does move me deeply.

“I want to say a heartfelt thank you for taking the time to nominate me.”

Milica Redfearn, director of midwifery at OUH, said: “Candice is truly exceptional and we are incredibly proud to see her recognised with this award.

“Her compassion, kindness and commitment make an immeasurable difference to families experiencing loss, often at the most devastating moments of their lives.

“This recognition is so well deserved and reflects the huge impact of her work and the difference she makes every day.”

More than 1,900 nominations were received for this year’s OUH Staff Recognition Awards.

The awards will take place at the John Radcliffe Hospital on Thursday, June 18.