A TRANSPORT group has claimed proposals to dual the A40 carriageway between Witney and Oxford would be “an expensive failure”.

Bus Users Oxford said it would oppose the idea “vehemently”, instead voicing support for public transport schemes.

The comments came after Oxfordshire County Council unveiled five options in a new consultation for long-term ways of tackling congestion on the A40.

Bus group chairman Hugh Jaeger said: “The document admits a dual carriageway would have weaknesses, needing more parking in Oxford and encouraging more car journeys that it says could reduce a dual carriageway’s benefits in future years. That’s putting it mildly.

“Oxford cannot afford more land for car parking, and new roads inevitably increase traffic until traffic is as congested as before – but on a bigger scale.”

Alongside the dual carriageway idea, the county council has said it could consider a £50m bus lane, a £165m guided busway, a £240m tram system and a £285m railway .

It has faced criticised by campaign groups for including the dual carriageway proposal, which it was warned would increase air pollution and congestion.

Last week, the Witney Oxford Transport Group said the scheme would be a “backwards step”, with the Oxfordshire Green Party warning it would amount to “a health disaster”.

To take part in the consultation, visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/A40.