A PERSONAL appeal has been made to Prime Minister David Cameron to allow Oxfordshire to keep £88m for road and rail improvements promised under the last Government.

The Access to Oxford money was to fund major ringroad and transport schemes, including a contribution to the expansion of the city’s railway station.

But it is feared the funding agreed four years ago to cut congestion could be withdrawn by the new Government, as it reins in public spending.

The county is reviewing £500m-worth of schemes ahead of expected cuts in Government funding.

The Tory group at the council has made a direct plea to the Prime Minister, with the MP for Witney told that money was crucial to the whole county’s economic prospects.

Ian Hudspeth, the council’s cabinet member for infrastructure, said: “We have already written to the new Transport Secretary and I have also lobbied David Cameron.

“In our discussion, I emphasised that Access to Oxford is an integral part of our transport strategy; not just central to Oxford but all the surrounding area, in order to improve economic and business growth. If Mr Cameron is in a position to be able to influence any decision, we hope he will.”