A survey has been carried out to protect wildlife including badgers and bats at a major road scheme.

Earlier this year, archaeologists made a series of historic discoveries at the A34 Lodge Hill junction near Abingdon.

Now, as part of the project to provide new slip roads, detailed ecological surveys have been conducted to assess the impact of the roadworks on local wildlife.

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Abingdon North county councillor Nathan Ley says badger surveys have identified lots of badger setts in woodland near the junction.

Mr Ley said in a public statement: "To ensure compliance with the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, exclusion zones will be set up around active setts with one-way badger gates where necessary.

"These gates will be monitored to confirm badger relocation before vegetation clearance.

"Additionally, all construction near setts will follow seasonal restrictions to avoid disruption during breeding season (February–June)."

Efforts are also being made to protect bats, birds and great-crested newts.

Four trees have been identified as potential roosting locations for bats and they will be replaced by boxes installed by the Bat Conservation Trust.

A total of 53 bird species were observed, with 16 listed as Species of Conservation Concern, such as skylarks and song thrushes.

Vegetation removal will be restricted to the September to February window outside the nesting season.

Archaeologists made discoveries which pointed to prehistoric human activity in the area.

(Image: Oxford Archaeology) Flints were recovered, hinting at prehistoric occupation of the landscape, possibly during the Neolithic to Bronze Age periods.

And a fragment of a Lower to Middle Palaeolithic hand axe was discovered, showing minimal signs of wear.

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Oxfordshire County Council and contractors Balfour Beatty started work this summer to create the major improvements for drivers.

The junction at Lodge Hill currently only has north-facing slip roads, but the scheme will add new south-facing slip roads, as well as making cycling and walking easier and safer in the area.

Adding the south-facing slip roads will remove traffic from the town centre as some drivers will no longer have to travel through it to access the A34 southbound at the Marcham interchange.

The county council has entered into a grant funding agreement with Homes England to secure £17.3m of infrastructure funding for the scheme, and major construction work is expected to start in the new year.

Matt Parkes, project director at Balfour Beatty, said: “We are pleased to be working alongside Oxfordshire County Council to bring the A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme to life.

"This important transport infrastructure project will support regional economic growth and on completion, will significantly improve connectivity and accessibility for local residents and the travelling public alike.”

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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