CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a dual carriageway between Oxford and Cambridge could get further government backing next week.

The Oxford to Cambridge Expressway, which would be flanked by up to one million homes, is expected to get a mention in the chancellor's budget on Monday.

Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme this morning, the BBC's environment analyst Roger Harrabin said: "I spoke to the transport secretary a couple of days ago and he confirmed the government was backing this.

"I think we can probably expect the go-ahead for it, at least in principle, from the treasury on Monday, but that will leave local campaigners feeling extremely short-changed as there has been no discussion about this."

The National Infrastructure Commission has recommended building up to one million homes by 2050 as part of the 'Oxford-Cambridge Arc', designed to link and better promote Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge. 

Last year the chancellor's budget speech backed the one million homes plan, and said as a 'down payment' a deal had been agreed to deliver 100,000 homes in Oxfordshire by 2031.

Chancellor Philip Hammond added that the development would 'capitalise on the global reputations of our two most famous universities'.

Plans for the expressway – which could cost up to £7.3bn – could see the forced demolition of homes along the A34 in North Hinksey and Botley.

In September Highways England announced it had picked a corridor – a broad path of where the road could go – that could pass east or west of Oxford.

Council leaders in the county have called for more clarity about the exact route.

Yesterday the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) said the proposal would destroy an area of countryside larger than Birmingham, resulting in the loss of 67,000 acres of farmland and woodland.

Paul Miner, head of strategic plans and devolution at CPRE, said: "If given the green light, this development will change the face of England's countryside forever.

"Whilst there will be a need for genuine affordable housing to meet local need in the area, the scale of these proposals is completely unacceptable.

"We need much stronger commitments to protecting and improving the unique and precious rural landscapes in the Arc."

He said no formal environmental assessment or public consultation had taken place around the development, and called for a strategic environmental assessment on the plans.

During a visit to Botley earlier this month, transport minister Jesse Norman was met by campaigners from the No Expressway Alliance group, which argues that the road would have 'disastrous impacts'.

A spokesman for the National Infrastructure Commission said: "Our recommendations come with the clear condition that new schemes should not compromise the high quality natural environment for existing and future residents, and do not need to involve any changes to existing Green Belt protections.

"In fact, our report made clear the need for significant investment in landscape improvements, affordable housing and sustainable transport.

"These changes are vital to make the most of the area's economic potential and the contribution it makes to the wider UK economy."

Communities secretary James Brokenshire said: "Building the homes our country needs does not mean tearing up vast tracts of our countryside.

"The Oxford-Cambridge Arc is an opportunity to further strengthen rural economies, enhance the environment and benefit local communities.

"Our new planning rulebook strengthens protections for the Green Belt and we have set out our ambition to ensure housing projects are more environmentally friendly."

The budget speech is expected to take place at 3.30pm on Monday.