Incorrect road markings are 'recipe for disaster'

New road markings on a busy road junction have been labelled a "recipe for disaster", after various incorrect road numbers were painted.

Among the mistakes installed at the Milton Interchange on the A34 over the weekend were road markings that direct motorists wanting to join the southbound carriageway into Didcot instead.

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

Oxfordshire County Council, which was responsible for the works, said it would amend the issues "at the earliest opportunity".

But local councillor Ian Snowdon told the BBC he had been informed by the authority that the fixes would not be made until Wednesday evening.

"It seems a lot of mistakes were made at the last minute - I couldn't believe that they'd done it," he said.

The major junction, near Didcot, was closed for the duration of the weekend for carriageway resurfacing and maintenance work.

It reopened at 05:00 GMT on Monday - complete with the incorrect roadmarkings.

Snowdon said this had led to local people contacting him to raise concerns over safety.

"I've had numerous people contact me saying that they've had near misses where people have tried to cut into the A34 southbound lane which is signalled," Snowdon said.

"They've then realised that actually A34 southbound is to the right and, in the last minute, swerve across."

"Unfortunately, you're mixing people who don't know the area with locals who know exactly which lane they should go in and don't look at road signs - so that's a recipe for disaster."

Responding to the concerns, Oxfordshire County Council said: "We are aware of the issue and intend to amend the lining at the earliest opportunity, subject to network management requirements."

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