A BID has been made for £6m of Government funding to improve the transport network in south Oxfordshire, to pave the way for more than 8,000 new jobs.

The organisation Science Vale UK, a partnership of local science and technology employers and South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils, submitted the bid to the Regional Growth Fund on Friday.

The money would pay for a study for improvements to transport infrastructure to serve the south of the county – which the partnership is marketing as an attractive destination for hi-tech research and manufacturing.

The cash would allow work to start on overhauling road and rail in the area and allow developers to bid for more money.

Plans include providing an access road to Harwell to connect Didcot with the Harwell Science Park.

Last year, it emerged Government funding for the link road could be withdrawn, but if the bid is successful the scheme would be back on the agenda.

Stephen Moss, project director for Science Vale UK, said: “If the bid is successful it will build the confidence of people who want to invest in the area.

“The potential scope is for 8,000 jobs in the science, technology and innovation field. This is all about the medium and long term and enabling exceptional growth in the future.”

Kevin Clark, Didcot development manager for South Oxfordshire District Council, who worked on the bid, said: “The bid is in the order of £6m for the design work for a package of transport infrastructure works which would cost £50m-plus. It focuses on more than just roads and looks at public transport, cycle and rail projects. It suggests a whole basket of measures to unlock the area.

“We hope the jobs will be created over the next 20 years in fields related to research and development. Milton Park industrial estate could also expand, which would create new jobs. A key idea is that local people take local jobs and that would reduce pressure on the A34.”

Councillors warned in November that the £26m Harwell link road, between the A4130 and the A417 London Road, was vital for the local economy. It followed a county council report warning that Government cash for the scheme might no longer be available.

The bid also includes a proposal for a new railway station to serve Wantage.

Martin Dare-Edwards, chairman of Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “There is a pot of £1.4bn for the whole of the UK, and it will be a tough call whether we get the cash. But if you do not try, you do not get.”