A40 Improvements Programme Updates
Ground investigation surveys starting at Shores Green junction
Ground investigation surveys are due to start in the A40 area of the A40/B4022 Shores Green junction, on the week commencing Monday 15 August 2022.
The surveys will inform the detailed design and are expected to take up to four weeks to complete, subject to weather and site conditions.
We will operate under traffic management to ensure safety for our workers and road users on the A40 and B4022. This will include:
- temporary traffic lights (two-way signals) will be installed on the B4022, from Monday 15 to Friday 19 August 2022.
- lane closures on the A40 eastbound and westbound from Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 August 2022.
Some disruption and delay should be expected.
The work is part of the A40 Access to Witney scheme within the wider A40 road improvements programme, which will address traffic and transport issues in the area. The programme aims to offer sustainable travel choices, which in turn reduces emissions and improves air quality for all.
Find out more:
A40 dual carriageway extension progresses to detailed design
Published on 9 August 2022
The dual carriageway extension scheme, part of the wider A40 improvement programme, has progressed to detailed design stage. The works, between Witney and the site of the proposed Eynsham park and ride, will bring extra capacity to the route.
This stage develops the preliminary design to a level of advancement and refinement oven ready for construction. Plans, specifications and estimates are also created, providing the final cost of the project.
During this phase, expected to run up to Autumn 2023, the team will keep engaging with stakeholders to refine the design.
Side Road Order and Compulsory Purchase Order available to view
Published on 27 July 2022
The planning application for the A40 smart corridor (R3.0151/21) was submitted in late 2021 and in order to ensure the scheme can be delivered and the relevant land and rights can be secured, Oxfordshire County Council approved plans to make a number of Statutory Orders for the scheme during a Cabinet meeting held 26 April 2022.
Those impacted by the Orders will be contacted directly and the Department for Transport and Secretary of State will have been notified and presented with the Orders shortly. The Orders will now enter into a representation period where anyone can present an objection to them.
You can find copies of the Orders at Eynsham and Witney libraries, at County Hall reception in Oxford, and on our dedicated webpage.
The Council’s intention remains to seek agreement with affected landowners and it will continue engagement and negotiations throughout this process.
Traffic restrictions lifted on A40 Oxford North
Published on 29 June 2022
Oxfordshire County Council has reached a major milestone in the development of the A40 Oxford North scheme, as all traffic restrictions are lifted.
The project’s new traffic light-controlled crossings are fully operational, and the new eastbound bus lane and shared cycling and walking paths are open. Extensive landscaping, including tree planting, has also been undertaken in the central reservation, new crossings and lighting improvements delivered, and a reduced 30mph speed limit introduced.
The council will complete the remaining work, including the western junction which will allow access for contractors on the adjacent housing development, later this year.
A40 Access to Witney planning application is live
Published on 11 April 2022
Oxfordshire County Council has submitted a planning application for improvements at B4022/A40 Shores Green junction in Witney.
Residents and stakeholders can respond to the planning application at myeplanning.oxfordshire.gov.uk under reference R3.0039/22/, from 14 April until 17 May 2022.
The proposals outline plans for west-facing slip roads which will enable traffic from northeast Witney to travel west on the A40 toward Burford without travelling through Bridge Street or the A40/ Ducklington Lane junction in Witney.
The proposed junction upgrade forms part of the wider Witney Area Strategy, started in 2014, to improve access between the town and the A40, as well as the A40 improvement programme, for which public consultations were held in late 2018 and spring 2021.
The planning application submission is a key milestone in the delivery of the wider A40 improvements programme which seeks to deliver safe and reliable travel options between Witney and Oxford.
Find out more:
Archaeological investigation on the site of Eynsham Park and Ride
Published on 15 March 2022
Archaeological investigation works on the site of the planned Eynsham Park and Ride will take place from 21 March, and will last between two and three weeks, depending on ground condition and any discoveries.
This will have no impact on the A40 itself as all the work will take place within the park and ride site which is away from the main road.
These works are part of a set of planning conditions for the Park and Ride which, together with the wider A40 road improvements programme, will address traffic and transport issues in the area.
The programme aims to offer sustainable travel choices, which in turn reduces emissions and improves air quality for all.
Find out more:
Planning application for A40 smart corridor is live
Published on 12 January 2022
The planning application for the A40 Smart Corridor in now live.
Residents and stakeholders can view and respond to the planning application on the Planning Register, under reference R3.0151/21.
The planning application submission is a key milestone in the delivery of the wider A40 improvements programme. The planning application covers three schemes:
- A40 dual carriageway extension A scheme to upgrade the A40 between east of Witney to the Eynsham park and ride site into a dual carriageway.
- A40 integrated bus lanes A four-mile eastbound and westbound bus priority corridor along the A40, with improved routes and crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
- A40 Duke’s Cut A new eastbound bus lane and improved cycling and pedestrian facilities linking together the A40 integrated bus lanes with north Oxford
The three separate but interdependent highway schemes will provide improvements to existing roads to facilitate and encourage sustainable travel modes. The investment in infrastructure will also support more jobs and much needed homes in the local area.
Find out more:
Drainage surveys starting along the A40 (Witney-Oxford)
Published on 10 January 2022
Drainage surveys and vegetation clearance works are due to start from 17 January 2022 between Hill Farm Junction on the A40 (east of Witney) to the Duke’s Cut bridge.
The surveys, which will help inform the drainage strategy for the A40 road improvements programme, are expected to take up to four weeks to complete, subject to weather and site conditions.
While most of the operation will take place adjacent to the highway, temporary traffic management will be needed in some locations to safeguard workers, causing minimal disruption and impact to A40 users.
These works are part of the wider A40 road improvements programme, which will address traffic and transport issues in the area. The programme aims to offer sustainable travel choices, which in turn reduces emissions and improves air quality for all.
Surveys starting at Wolvercote Railway Bridge
Published on 4 January 2022
Several surveys will take place on Saturday 8 January 2022 at Wolvercote Railway Bridge.
The surveys will inform the methodology for the works and highlight any issues or risks that may need to be mitigated during the strengthening and maintenance works on the bridge.
Works will cause minimal disruption as they will take place between 11pm to 9am, away from the A40 itself.
The improvements to the bridge at Duke’s Cut are part of the wider A40 improvements programme, which will address traffic and transport issues between Witney and Oxford. The programme aims to offer sustainable travel choices, which in turn reduces emissions and improves air quality.
Find out more:
Archaeological work complete
Published on 6 December 2021
Archaeological investigation works on land next to the A40 which commenced in November, north of Eynsham, are now complete.
The findings from the excavations and the final archaeological assessment will help to inform the final designs for the A40 smart corridor.
Part of the A40 improvements programme which addresses traffic and transport issues on the route, the smart corridor aims to offer more sustainable travel options.
Find out more:
Ground investigation surveys complete
Published on 3 December 2021
Ground investigation surveys which commenced in October on the site of the planned Eynsham Park and Ride are now complete.
The survey data will inform the detailed design documents due mid-2022.
The park and ride is part of the wider A40 road improvements programme, which will address traffic and transport issues in the area. The programme aims to offer sustainable travel choices, which in turn reduces emissions and improves air quality for all.
Find out more:
Planning application submitted for A40 smart corridor
Published on 24 November 2021
Oxfordshire County Council has submitted a planning application for a series of major infrastructure projects along the A40 in West Oxfordshire.
The application covers three separate, but interdependent highway schemes aimed at improving travel options along the route between Witney and Oxford. These include:
- A40 dual carriageway extension A scheme to upgrade the A40 between east of Witney to the Eynsham park and ride site into a dual carriageway.
- A40 integrated bus lanes A four-mile eastbound and westbound bus priority corridor along the A40, with improved routes and crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
- A40 Duke’s Cut A new eastbound bus lane and improved cycling and pedestrian facilities linking together the A40 integrated bus lanes with north Oxford
The application follows extensive engagement with stakeholders, including public consultations in late 2018 and spring 2021.
There will be a period of statutory consultation on the application following its validation.
Find out more:
Archaeological work starting
Published on 13 October 2021
Archaeological investigation works on land next to the A40, north of Eynsham, will get underway next month.
The excavations, which will inform the planning process for the A40 improvements programme, will begin w/c Monday 1 November 2021 and are expected to last up to eight weeks, subject to weather and site conditions.
Though visible from the A40, the works will have no impact to road users or traffic.
The final archaeological assessment will help to inform a future planning application, part of the wider programme of works to address traffic and transport issues.
The programme aims to offer sustainable travel choices, which in turn reduces emissions and improves air quality for all.
Find out more:
Ground investigation surveys starting
Published on 8 October 2021
Ground investigation (GI) surveys are due to start on the site of the planned Eynsham park and ride w/c Monday 11 October 2021.
The surveys, meant to inform the detailed design documents and future works methodology, are expected to take up to six weeks to complete, subject to weather and site conditions.
While most of the operation will take place within the already secluded park and ride site, works adjacent to the highway will be undertaken with temporary traffic management, which will be conducted at night, avoiding peak hours. As a result, this will cause minimal disruption and visual impact to A40 users.
The park and ride is part of the wider A40 road improvements programme, which will address traffic and transport issues in the area. The programme aims to offer sustainable travel choices, which in turn reduces emissions and improves air quality for all.
Find out more:
A40 Oxford North
Published on 17 June 2021
Construction work to improve roads, bus infrastructure, pathways and cycleways along the A40 road just to the west of the Wolvercote roundabout is making good progress. Our contractors Milestone Infrastructure have been working on site since November 2020 and are due to complete in December 2021.
The construction work includes excavation works, drainage and electrical works, resurfacing, and the installation of new signalised crossings. The route remains fully accessible to pedestrians and cyclists via a new diversion path around the construction site.