A PLEDGE to plough £50m into improvements on the A34 has received fresh backing from the Government.

Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, told MPs that two major schemes announced in 2014 would still be fully-funded.

They are ‘technology enhancements’, including more CCTV cameras and screens to give drivers early warnings of accidents and traffic problems, as well as junction improvements at the Pear Tree and Botley interchanges.

Mr Hammond also gave assurances that Treasury officials would press the Department for Transport to minimise delays to the work, Wantage MP Ed Vaizey said yesterday.

Mr Vaizey added: “I am pleased that the Chancellor has confirmed the funding available for these two much-needed projects, and that he has asked officials to engage with the Department for Transport.

“Local MPs will continue to apply pressure until these essential improvements to the A34 are implemented.”

The comments come after a series of fatalities on the A34 galvanised public support for new safety measures.

Roads Minister John Hayes has said the technology improvements should be in place before 2020.

But in October he also ordered a separate safety review of the dual carriageway, which will be carried out by Highways England.

That could lead to ‘still more fundamental’ change, Mr Hayes said, including upgrades to bring the A34 up to motorway standard.