Drivers are complaining about confusing road signs at a significant A34 interchange not far from Didcot, according to a county councillor.
In February, a contractor painted wrong road markings at the Milton Interchange while the route was shut for 57 hours to repair the surface full of potholes.
Fresh lane markings were added at the interchange, with the left-hand lane heading toward Didcot wrongly shown as the A34 southbound lane.
The neighbouring lane indicated ‘Wantage’ instead of Didcot.
The contractor M Group funded the corrections, yet Didcot West county councillor Ian Snowdon said motorists are still dissatisfied with how things turned out.
He reached out to senior highways managers at the county council, including Andrew Gant, who holds the transport management cabinet brief, to convey driver concerns.
In his written correspondence, he said numerous complaints had come from locals and motorists, including HGV drivers, supported by photos and video, showing the lane arrangement and direction signs after the work did not match the previous layout.
Specifically, the road markings near the A34 northbound slip road exit seemed to have altered how drivers use lanes and navigate through traffic.
The absence of clear and consistent lane directions that regular users previously relied upon creates perplexity at a particularly hazardous part of the interchange.
This is especially concerning given the vehicle types using this interchange, with many large goods vehicles and drivers unfamiliar with the area who depend on intuitive and reliable road markings.
Mr Snowdon thinks an audit of the work should now take place.
He is asking for a formal review comparing the actual road markings to the approved design paperwork and the layout prior to the work.
Mr Snowdon also said if the project specification genuinely aimed to restore the previous arrangement, this seriously questions whether the work was completed in line with the approved design and relevant regulations, including the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions and guidance in the Traffic Signs Manual.
Alternatively, if any alterations have happened, it is crucial this is recognised and subjected to appropriate safety audit and review.
An Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson said the county council and its contractor M Group are aware of the concerns and are investigating the matter.
The February work included kerb and drainage improvements, ironwork changes, resurfacing of the existing carriageway and reinstatement of all existing and legally required road markings and lines.
In May 2016, the Milton Interchange was converted into a ‘hamburger’ roundabout, with a central lane to speed up traffic heading north toward Oxford and the M40.
More than £11m was spent on the redesign, designed to boost traffic capacity by 20 per cent.
In their latest statement, the county council said the minor adjustments to the lining were all completed last Thursday evening, so the interchange markings now match the condition they were in before the resurfacing work took place.