A34 Traffic News:
The A34 is a significant highway that runs 151 kilometers from Winchester in Hampshire to Salford in Greater Manchester. That was not even the A34’s original course; it just went from Winchester to Oxford. In April 1935, A34 traffic was expanded further north toward Manchester. Over the years, the route has experienced changes, including numerous section renumberings and the addition of multiple bypasses, notably Newbury in 1998 and the eagerly anticipated Alderley Edge bypass in 2010.
The northern portion of this road is divided into two portions and travels through Manchester, Congleton, and Newcastle-under-Lyme. The A34 then continues south, passing through Stafford and Walsall, the heart of Birmingham, temporarily joining with the A41 and coming to an intersection with the M42 south of Solihull. In essence, the route resumes after it merges with the highway network.
The A34’s southern portion spans the Thames, beginning with the Bicester junction. Before arriving at Winchester, the southern M3 turnoff avoids Newbury. Sections of the M3 and M40 are connected to the A34, which plays a crucial role in transporting freight from Southampton’s main port to the Midlands. This entire route is a dual carriageway, serving as an outer ring road for Oxford. At both ends, a roundabout connects the road to the motorway.
The A34’s Toughest Junctions:
Look up the most recent A34 traffic updates before you travel on this busy dual-carriageway to help you avoid traffic jams, construction zones, and accidents. You may experience heavy traffic because of the road’s extensive distance and encounters with cities and large towns.
Typical hotspots include the following intersections:
Peartree Intersection:
North-west of Oxford, at this intersection, several important highways come together. The A44 is the main road out of the city, and the A34 and A40 both run north-south through this area while avoiding the city. A succession of roundabouts connects multiple highways. The intersection is challenging to use because it was constructed in phases by diverse groups. This intersection is made more difficult by the Peartree Services erected and the park and rides location.
Decent Barr Interchange:
The Great Barr Interchange is located where junction 7 of the M6 and the A34 cross. This three-level stacked interchange would work if it weren’t for one problem. The M6 westbound slip roads are joined to the inside of the roundabout rather than the exterior. The M6 traffic enters the roundabout on one side, which is perplexing. Additionally, eastbound M6 traffic must pass an exit before it may enter the area from which it just came.
Wendlebury and Chieveley:
Congestion on the A34 between the M4 at Chieveley and the M40 at Wendlebury is so bad that a new technology plan has been developed to help.
Changing Chilton:
The A34 and A4185’s “dumbbell intersection” at Chilton Junction has a long history of catastrophic collisions. Daily traffic volumes at this intersection are substantial. Thus, use caution in the area. Also check Having Trouble With The A38 Traffic?
Hotspots For Accidents on The A34:
- A Freedom of Information Act request in the early years led to the discovery of statistics showing 471 crashes on the A34. The A34 is a lengthy highway that passes by busy cities through its length. As a result, this Road sadly has a bad reputation for having numerous traffic accidents. Before leaving, always check the A34 for traffic updates.
- The brow of the hill on the A34 between the communities of East and West Ilsley, close to junction 13 of the M4, has been identified by users of the route as an accident hotspot. The most notable recent accident in this region occurred in 2016 when a family was tragically killed when a lorry struck oncoming traffic.
- As a result of traffic merging, the A34 slipway at Bullington Cross near Winchester in Hampshire is notorious for its safety risks. Meanwhile, there has been a history of deadly incidents at the intersection of the A34 and M40 Junction 9 and the A4185 Chilton Junction and the A34.
- Longer-term congestion problems are anticipated due to constantly rising traffic loads, particularly at the intersection of the A303 and A34. On the A34 from the M4 to Oxford, there is a concentration of incidents and constant, growing traffic congestion.
A34 Traffic Roadworks:
Because the A34 is a significant thoroughfare that spans 151 kilometers, it frequently experiences roadwork and improvements. With travel information from the A34, you can use the trafficcameras.info service to discover and plan for probable delays on your trip. On the A34, significant roadwork includes:
Cambridge to Oxford Expressway:
This new motorway is expected to reduce pressure on the A34 and close a missing 30-mile gap between Milton Keynes’ M1 and Oxford’s M40. A public consultation was scheduled for the tentative timetable, with construction set to start in 2025 and end in 2030. Also check A12 Traffic Is A Recent Concern For You?
Technology Upgrades About A34 Traffic:
At various sites along the A34, a plan has been put forth to add CCTV cameras and driver information systems. It is proposed between the M4 at Chieveley and the M40 at Wendlebury. The plan also calls for installing “vehicle detection loops,” which can recognize when traffic is building or slowing down.