Oxfordshire councillors call for investigation on A417

Works began on the A417, near West Hendred, in March and are due to finish over the bank holiday weekend.

Wantage councillors, Jane Hanna OBE and Jenny Hannaby, welcome the news of the completion of the 10 weeks of roadworks but raised concerns about the lack of traffic management staff at the site.

In a new statement, the councillors said: “We have been picking up the complaints of residents about presence of traffic management staff and site operation and also passing on our own lived experience because we are residents that use this road regularly as well as councillors.

“Our latest update from the contractor confirmed that there was a short period when staff could not work on the site due to the unforeseen problem of electricity supply.

The A417 Reading Road in East Hendred (Image: Google Maps)

“That is resolved and we were promised yesterday morning by MGroup that banksmen will remain in place for the duration of the works and will attend during the agreed hours, as previously committed.

“Last night at 6.40pm we passed through the lights, there were no banksmen and there were five cars coming from Wantage direction and a long tailback coming from Rowstock direction. We have called for an investigation.

“If you have similar experiences it would be helpful if you could let us know very specifically the date and the time.”

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The roadworks have caused controversy in the local area after suspicion had arose among the community that the road would be dug up after being filled.

The works, which began on March 16, were to install a new traffic light pedestrian crossing on the A417 Reading Road.

Four-way traffic lights were installed for 10 weeks, and have since operated everyday from 7am until 8pm.

Originally planned to complete on Friday, May 22, the works will officially complete on Monday, May 25 with traffic lights taken down then.

The councillors also confirmed in a statement on Facebook that the works will continue for extended nighttime closure works before the project is completed in June.

A417 Wantage Road, near Streatley (Image: Google Maps)

Residents can expect disruption on the nights of Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23 between 8pm to 6am.

Despite the works completing on Monday, May 25, more works will also take place between Thursday, June 4 to Monday, June 8 and also on Tuesday, June 9.

The councillors confirmed this was because of the electricity contractor needing to return to install the signal heads.

Drivers can expect this to cause the same temporary traffic lights for another two to three days starting from Tuesday, June 9.