THERE are fears a major redevelopment of an Abingdon retail park will put more pressure on a busy route onto the A34.

Units currently housing Homebase, Topps Tiles, AHF and Vineys at Fairacres Retail Park, off Marcham Road, are due to be replaced with a 49,060 sq ft terrace of five units - the largest of which will contain budget supermarket Lidl.

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Work is scheduled to start at the end of September and construction is due to be completed by the first quarter of 2021, and possibly as early as the last quarter 2020.

Commenting on a previous story about the scheme, one reader, who is an employee at Miele Experience Centre which is located next to the retail park, wrote: "Work at Miele, anytime between 4.15pm - 5.15pm takes 15 minutes to get over the roundabout towards A34.

"Most days go left towards Abingdon, right around McDonalds roundabout then back towards A34.

Oxford Mail:

"The traffic coming out of Fairacres will be stuck at the T junction for 20 minutes plus. People will soon get bored with that."

Another commented: "Excellent, even more traffic congestion in Abingdon. Congratulations."

However, another suggested having a budget foodstore on Marcham Rad was 'arguably' a better option than a similar store 'dumped' nearer to the town centre.

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Glanville Projects Limited has completed a traffic management plan on behalf of Mays Properties, which owns the site.

Submitted with the latest planning application updates on the Vale of White Horse District Council website, which include 'minor changes' to the appearance of the shop fronts, the company outlines measures to reduce the impact on motorists during the construction phase of the project.

It states as Marcham Road and adjoining Nuffield Way are classed as 'traffic sensitive', construction traffic, deliveries and collections will not be permitted between 7.30am and 9.30am and 3.30pm and 7pm.

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The report added: "Clear signage stating ‘Fairacres Retail Park Phase 2 – Construction Traffic’ will be positioned at the exit from the A34 and at appropriate locations along the route to the site."

The current revamp will be the second phase of an overhaul of the site, which started more than a decade ago with redevelopment of the western half of the retail park.