← Back to House of Commons Debates
Safety and Littering: A34 and A420
10 November 2020
Lead MP
David Johnston
Debate Type
Adjournment Debate
Tags
TransportLocal Government
Other Contributors: 1
At a Glance
David Johnston raised concerns about safety and littering: a34 and a420 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
MP David Johnston raised concerns about the transport issues in his constituency, particularly focusing on the reopening of Grove station affected by the Beeching cuts and two problematic roads: A420 and A34. He highlighted safety hazards due to heavy commercial traffic and a significant increase in accidents. For the A420, there were 1,057 reported accidents over six years, including 12 fatalities from 2016-2019; for A34, there have been 50 fatal crashes and 2,593 total incidents since 2015. He emphasised the need for safety improvements such as traffic light crossings, safe bus stops, pedestrian pathways, better signage to divert HGVs, and enforcement of speed limits. Johnston also addressed littering issues, suggesting Highways England should be responsible for clearing litter on A34.
Laura Farris
Con
Newbury
Acknowledged the safety concerns raised and noted that while some upgrades are planned for the A34, there is a need to prioritise safety over convenience. She mentioned tragic accidents on the road and requested meetings with Baroness Vere to discuss specific improvements such as longer slip roads, warning signs, dedicated HGV lanes, and speed limits.
Government Response
Minister Rachel Maclean acknowledged the concerns raised about safety issues on A420 and A34. She noted that Highways England is carrying out a £12.1 million programme of safety improvements for the A34, most of which are now complete. For local roads like A420, responsibility lies with Oxfordshire County Council; the Government provides financial support through highway maintenance funding allocation and integrated transport block funding. She stated that Highways England works in partnership with local authorities to reduce littering on strategic road networks such as A34. The Secretary of State has asked Highways England to commence a new project focusing on congestion alleviation and safety improvements between the M4 and M40 for the A34, involving meetings with MPs to gather views. Maclean thanked MP David Johnston for securing the debate.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.