A bypass for Abingdon and development of a full interchange on the A34 at Lodge Hill are slipping further into the distance.

Oxfordshire County Council's Transport Network Review (TNR) confirmed a bypass was not a high priority and warned that a bigger Lodge Hill interchange would add to already heavy traffic on the A34. But further investigations into a bypass might be worthwhile.

County cabinet member for transport David Robertson told a meeting of the Abingdon Integrated Transport Strategy steering group (Abits) that the county council would continue to press the Government's Highways Agency to carry out a study for improvements to Lodge Hill.

At present there is only a north access sliproad and a south exit.

Mr Robertson said: "We'd like to see a solution to the A34 but we're not sure how it will be done. Funding for this and an Abingdon bypass would come from Government at a regional level and would not be a priority. We'll continue to press for a study but I can't see anything happening in my lifetime."

A report from the county's TNR concluded two extra sliproads at the Lodge Hill junction were not recommended because they would only increase traffic on the A34 -- and would be "vigorously opposed" by the Highways Agency.

An alternative route to the A415 interchange at Marcham Road already exists via the town's northwest distributor road.

A study into a southern bypass for Abingdon found most traffic in the town was local and travelling through the town centre to get to businesses and shopping areas on the west of the town.

Roadside interviews found that in the morning peak only four per cent of traffic going into town from the Thames bridge was travelling to the A415 west of the town centre.

The report said: "This suggests that a bypass to the south of the town would not be needed, but some form of peripheral road may be suitable. The case for a north-south bypass to link in with the existing peripheral road, Audlett Drive, is considered weak. The proportion of longer-distance traffic currently using the alternative A4183 is small at present."

The report concluded: "A bypass for Abingdon does not appear to be a high priority. However it is recognised that the TNR model is strategic in nature and that more detailed investigations maybe worthwhile as part of a separate study to assess the feasibility of a southern peripheral road."

Vale of White Horse district councillor and Abits member Roz Smith said: "A second bridge for Abingdon and a full 'diamond' interchange on the A34 at Lodge Hill are an integral and necessary part of the Abits plan.

"I'm very disappointed at the county's report. We must continue to press the county council to keep at the Highways Agency for its support for these long-term aims."