A PETITION has been launched to completely scrap 'ridiculous' plans for a £3bn expressway between Oxford and Cambridge.

Highways England is set to reveal the preferred route for the road out of three potential corridors but campaigners have now called for the proposals to be dropped.

A petition to save the Otmoor nature reserve - under threat from one of the options - has already received 4,500 signatures.

But the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust warned all three routes could have 'devastating effects' on the countryside.

The petition, launched by local resident Antony Melville, said: "All three proposed routes will damage our countryside and health while doing nothing to meet the pressing transport needs of Oxfordshire.

"The immediate and cheaper alternative is the reopening the Oxford to Cambridge railway link and this should be operational before any plans are made for new road developments."

Chris Church, from environmental group Oxford Friends of the Earth, said: "It's time to say no to the ridiculous plans for the Oxford - Cambridge Expressway, please sign and share this petition."

The options would either see the road go through the south of the county, from the north of Oxford to Milton Keynes or a central route parallel to East West Rail.