A34: A Disappointing Update, but the Push for Safety Improvements Continues

Last week I had another meeting with National Highways to push for an update on its long-awaited A34 Safety Study.

For more than a year, I’ve worked with neighbouring cross-party MPs to press National Highways for serious improvements to a number of high-risk slip roads and junctions, particularly at East Isley and Beedon, as well as Chieveley, which was included after further pressure.

After writing to and meeting representatives on a number of occasions, submitting parliamentary questions, and launching a constituency-wide survey to make sure the voices and experiences of local drivers were clearly heard, the delayed study is very nearly complete. 

However, National Highways has indicated that its findings can’t support the major safety improvement we’ve been calling for. 

One of the key considerations for major safety schemes is the number of KSIs: people killed or seriously injured on the road. Over the five years to the end of 2024, there were very sadly six at both Beedon and East Isley. While every one of those incidents is tragic, representatives informed me that these figures are low compared with other locations competing for major safety improvements. At the same time, it also found that the collisions were spread along the A34, rather than concentrated around the slip roads themselves.

Ultimately, the figures, alongside the cost of major works such as lengthening the slip roads, don’t make a strong enough case for the investment right now.

This is deeply disappointing. I know from speaking to residents, and from the overwhelming response to my survey, just how worrying these junctions can be. Known high-risk areas with poor visibility, lane management, and a lack of speed enforcement measures that make daily journeys feel treacherous.

Just because these experiences don’t always show up in the most serious collision statistics, doesn’t mean they should be disregarded.

There are, though, still measures I will be pushing for. 

National Highways is carrying out a further nine-day conflict study, using cameras to monitor these locations around the clock and record any near misses. There also remains the possibility of lower-cost measures, such as effective signage, road markings, and other operational improvements.  

In the coming weeks, I will be meeting National Highways again to go through the completed study and press for these exact changes.

The A34 is a vital route across multiple constituencies in the Southeast, and the case for safer slip roads and junctions remains.

After such a long wait for answers, the latest update is a setback, but I will keep pushing for changes.