Wonder if the A34 speed limit will rise in line with planned 80 limit for M Ways??
The A34 is in fact a designated Euroroute, and badly needs that 3rd lane.I've noticed the steady build up of traffic over 20 years, which really started
when M40 arrived, and crossed it near Banbury.
Oxon CC has put 50mph limits on A338/B4494 on nice open stretches of these roads
eg from Wantage to Berks border, which is widely ignored, is wasteful
use of resources for all the signing etc.
As you hit Berks from Wantage direction (
on B4494), speed becomes 70,
and road is then narrower & winding.
In practical terms limits should be other way round!
Making A34,
50mph makes no sense except on dense urban areas, such as
you have at Botley, near Oxford.
In open areas it'll cause bunching as mentioned by others, as you already see at Gore Hill,
ie between W & E Ilsley exits, as HGV's crawl up the gradient.
W Ilsley which caused original poster such heartache
will inevitably suffer increased
traffic when A34 gridlocked, and of course has 30mph limit, as does Beedon (higher limit) where others
will divert through too., by taking
Beedon/Stanmore exit on the Southbound carriageway.