I felt that someone has to bring to the attention of Quiet Riots the new Traffic Scheme in Abingdon. The road network topology at Abingdon used to be a very simple, but very effective one. It took the form of a very large roundabout interchange, with four [major] exits, running clockwise around the town centre. It was very effective: traffic filtered in and out as it is does on any roundabout, and flowed very freely. The only discontinuities were, quite rightly, traffic controls to stop traffic for pedestrian crossing. Everything was great, Abingdon was a good place to visit, and we did so frequently.

Then the Abingdon Integrated Transport Strategy (AbITS) was born. It was a laudable attempt to improve air quality and make the town centre a more pleasant environment for shoppers. Local people were consulted, but there appears to have been little warning of the real impact. It was implemented, but the changes have resulted in Abingdon now becoming a town centre to be avoided due to horrific traffic congestion. Traffic flow on two sections of the ‘roundabout’ (Stratton Way) was modified to operate in both directions, and additional traffic controls were introduced on each ‘roundabout exit’. One objective was to reduce traffic in the remaining two sections, Stert Street and High Street. The strategy succeeded brilliantly in the latter respect, it almost stopped traffic flow completely, but, unfortunately, in all four sections! Now the town centre is great for pedestrians, because there is little moving traffic; unfortunately there are now somewhat fewer pedestrians, because it is so difficult to get there.

The final result is that, for the people who live close to Abingdon, it is a place to be avoided at all costs, and for those who live in the town and those who have to commute through it, it has become a traffic nightmare. It is said that Abingdon centre has died as a result of this change; that certainly appears to be the view of many local traders - I tend to agree. over 2 years ago via web