A CALL for £2.8bn of investment in major roads and rail projects is the centrepiece of proposals set to be put to the Government by Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.

The three county councils have unveiled their demands as part of the so-called “England’s Economic Heartland” alliance.

They want a five-year deal with the Government for investment in infrastructure and major roads including the A34 through Oxfordshire.

Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Many journeys with a big impact on the local economy don’t start or end in Oxfordshire so it is important that investment in our major roads network is planned with our neighbours.

“That’s why we are working closely with Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire to press the Government to invest in these roads that are so crucial to creating jobs and helping people get to work.

“By talking with one voice, Government is more likely to listen to the strong business case for this vitally important investment that supports its growth ambition.”

The councils have previously stressed there are no plans for a combined authority.

But in a statement yesterday they said a “growing devolution agenda nationally has provided the platform for this new approach”.

They instead proposed a new “transport infrastructure forum” to link up the transport plans of the three authorities.

That would be in place by April 2016 and be recognised by legislation.

They said it would become “the single point of contact” for discussions with Government on major transport schemes, cutting bureaucracy, saving money and could begin to be set up this autumn.

The alliance has also proposed “smart” electronic ticketing for public transport across the three counties, as well as major partnerships on infrastructure projects.

There are also plans to create a “rapid response” service, involving the “blue-light services” – the police, fire and ambulance services – and Highways England to “manage accidents and incidents more effectively across the road network”.

And the councils said a single joint car parking enforcement scheme could also be rolled out.

The alliance said it already had a £46.6bn economy and would seek to grow it by £9bn each year, creating at least 135,000 new jobs by 2020.