MAJOR players in a plan which could set up investment in vital infrastructure around Oxfordshire have said work is nearly complete.

Following a consultation on the draft Oxfordshire Infrastructure Strategy, which started in July, the county’s six councils involved will soon sign off the report.

The independent study looks at how up to £9bn of funding could be plugged into key projects, including improving the A34 and the East-West Rail connection between Oxford and Cambridge.

Others include the new Didcot Garden Town, incentives to encourage businesses to locate and expand within the Science Vale, and addressing congestion problems on the A40.

Once it is signed off, the strategy will provide a template for channelling central government money to support Oxfordshire’s growth to 2040 at least.

The final report will go to the Oxfordshire Growth Board on September 26.

The chairman of the growth board and leader of Oxford City Council, Bob Price, said: “Across the county, people need places to live, with a great environment, transport and other vital infrastructure to support them.

“Oxfordshire sits at the centre of the UK’s knowledge economy and must play a key role in the nation’s future growth story.”

Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council and Growth Board member, said: “As the lead for transport and highways in the county, improved, new and appropriate infrastructure is key to how we see Oxfordshire growing and developing in the coming years.

“We want to see benefits for both new and existing residents.

“To achieve this we are working closely with partners including OxLEP, our local enterprise partnership, and all of our local planning authorities.

“This joined-up approach in Oxfordshire is vital if we are to achieve our ambitions through this strategy.”

The councils represented on the growth board are the five district councils – Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and Oxford city and the county council.