A cross-party group of MPs representing constituencies along the A34 have written to the Minister for Transport, calling for urgent safety improvements to the major dual carriageway.

The joint letter, signed by Lee Dillon MP (Newbury), Olivia Bailey MP (Reading West and Mid Berkshire), Olly Glover MP (Didcot and Wantage), and Kit Malthouse MP (North West Hampshire), outlines shared concerns about dangerous slip roads, poor junction visibility, and inadequate merge lanes that are placing lives at risk daily.

Lee Dillon MP, who represents Newbury, said:

“The A34 is a vital transport corridor, but too many of its junctions are outdated and dangerous. In my constituency, Chieveley and Speen have short slip roads that leave drivers with barely any room to merge safely. This is about preventing avoidable crashes and saving lives. My constituents are clear: the status quo is not acceptable.”

Surveys run in Newbury and Reading West & Mid Berkshire showed overwhelming public support for change. In Newbury, 95% of respondents backed safety upgrades, while 91% said dangerous junctions were their top concern. The pattern was echoed elsewhere, with residents identifying East Ilsley, Beedon, and Chilton as problem areas.

The MPs are calling for the A34 to be prioritised in the Department for Transport’s upcoming Road Investment Strategy (RIS3), alongside a full safety review as part of the North and South of Oxford study.

“We need a strategic, well-funded plan,” said Dillon. “People’s lives should not be at risk every time they access the national road network.”