MAJOR improvements to Oxford’s Kennington roundabout and Hinksey Hill interchange are set to go ahead, despite Government cuts.

Oxfordshire County Council has said it found cash to make changes in a bid to combat congestion on Oxford’s ring road.

They were to have been part of a £62m “Access to Oxford” package of transport measures, but the Government said in October that the council would not get the cash.

The authority said it would instead use £6m it had set aside to develop the business case for the £62m.

Council spokesman Paul Smith said: “The money no longer needs to be spent on the business case.

“Instead of spending that money on processes and bureaucracy, we want to focus it on our own council-funded schemes at Kennington roundabout and Hinksey Hill interchange so that we can get on with the job of easing congestion in these areas.”

The authority said there are no details yet of how congestion could be eased at the two locations.

It is another boost for motor-ists after Sainsbury’s agreed to make changes to the Heyford Hill roundabout, with two new lanes cut through the centre of the roundabout, like the so-called ‘hamburger’ at Green Road, with an eastbound section of the bypass widened and additional lanes created.

Work is expected to begin later this year alongside an extension to the store.

The council is still bidding for Government cash to add a new platform for London trains and footbridge over Botley Road at Oxford station, which was also axed under the autumn cuts. The council had expected £12.5m for the plan.

Ian Hudspeth, councillor with responsiblilty for growth and infrastructure, said the scheme was “the key element” to improving Oxford’s transport network.

He said: “The priorities have not really changed, but we have got to make sure they fit in with the funding available.

“It will be a long game, but we will be trying to make our case.”

He said he hoped the council would bid for money from the new £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund by April.