£106million plans approved to improve journeys from Witney to Oxford

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet has agreed the initial proposals for housing infrastructure fund (HIF2), the £106.7million programme to improve the A40 between Witney and the north of Oxford.

The project comes ahead of the building of more than 20,000 new homes around Eynsham.

The plans have divided opinion and proved difficult to deliver amid budgetary constraints, particularly against the backdrop of rampant inflation. 

It was placed “under review” by the county council in December 2022 and its compulsory purchase orders had to be withdrawn amid concerns that spiralling costs could make the scheme undeliverable.

The approved proposals include a bus lane eastbound between the new Eynsham Park and Ride and Wolvercote and a westbound bus lane between Dukes Cut and the Eynsham Park and Ride.

The county council said this is focused on the parts of the route where buses are most delayed.

There will be a continuous shared-use path between Eynsham Park and Ride and Wolvercote on the south side of the A40 and on the north side of the A40 between Eynsham Park and Ride and Shores Green.

There will be sections of shared-use path between Eynsham Park and Ride and Wolvercote.

New signal-controlled crossings will be installed at points along the A40 to prioritise cyclists and pedestrians.

Councillor Duncan Enright, who represents Witney East and is responsible for the county’s travel and development strategy, said: “This investment in travel along the A40 is much needed.

"Our intention is to make it easier to access West Oxfordshire, and to make best use of the funds available to improve bus services and prioritise active travel.

"The new, improved cycle route will offer better and safer facilities for residents and visitors alike.”   

The approved proposals are the initial phase of a wider A40 improvements programme which the county council said it has been working with partners to review funding for.

Public consultation and stakeholder engagement on the plans will follow and later phases of work will be planned and delivered as funding becomes available, it said.    

The first phase will be funded by the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF2).

The county council submitted a business case for HIF2 in March 2019, and in November of that year, it was announced the bid had been successful.

That was under a Conservative-led administration.

The county council’s current Fair Deal Alliance of Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green councillors pushed ahead but have always expressed concerns it doesn’t go far enough to encourage active travel.

Dan Levy, county councillor for the Eynsham division, and executive member for finance on West Oxfordshire District Council, has said: "I opposed the scheme from the onset, because I don't think it will successfully shift  large numbers of people on to buses or reduce congestion, and a railway would have been better.  

But he added: "It isn't all negative - just not as good as we would want. There are some good aspects, like the bus lanes and improved bike lanes.

"There are also some bad aspects, including the totally inadequate crossings of the A40 between Salt Cross and Eynsham, and the increased noise for the people of South Leigh."

Green Party councillor Andrew Prosser, who represents Witney North and is executive member for climate change on West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “I think the initial phase of the HIF2 scheme does bring benefits, such as bus priority, improved cycle lanes for active travel, and a new bus lane along part of its route. So, I welcome this start.

“However, subsequent phases of the project will not bring quicker journeys for most people without dedicated bus lanes, or another rapid transit link, that runs all the way between Witney, Carterton and Oxford." 

Other elements of the  A40 improvements programme in progress are Eynsham Park and Ride and Oxford North - improved bus, cycle, and pedestrian routes between the Wolvercote roundabout and the A34 flyover.

And the county council now has planning permission to improve the A40 junction at Shores Green in Witney and land negotiations are under way.

Future phases include converting the A40 east of Witney as far as the Eynsham Park and Ride into a dual carriageway.