Road markings still pose risk, police boss says

"Mistakes" in road markings at a busy junction continue to "pose a real risk to road safety", a police and crime commissioner (PCC) has warned.

Thames Valley PCC Matthew Barber said new markings at the Milton Interchange in Oxfordshire meant some drivers trying to join the A34 northbound would be directed into a position where they had to cut across two lanes of traffic.

His complaints come after various mistakes at the junction, near Didcot, had to be corrected earlier this month for sending motorists in the wrong direction.

Oxfordshire County Council, which was responsible for the work, said it was "aware of the reports" and "reviewing the matter".

Barber said the markings needed to be corrected "urgently".

He explained that driving in lane two approaching the A34 North at the junction meant motorists now had to cut across two lanes of traffic to make the exit.

This was in contrast to the original road markings, which had directed drivers into a filter lane and gave motorists the choice of joining the A34 or remaining on the roundabout, he said.

Barber said: "Those of us who know the road well may not take much notice, but this junction is used by thousands of drivers unfamiliar with the road layout who understandably will follow the road markings set down by the county council.

"After the chaos just a few weeks ago I would have hoped the county council would have double and triple checked the road markings, but they've still not got it right."

Among the incorrect markings installed at the interchange earlier this month were those directing motorists wanting to join the southbound carriageway of the A34 into Didcot instead.

The markings to Wantage also led drivers in the opposite direction to the market town.

These issues were amended by the council within days, with the contractor responsible for the works covering the remediation costs.

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