Funding agreed for major A40 improvements between Eynsham and Oxford

Easier journeys between Eynsham and Oxford have taken a step closer as the government has approved £126 million of funding for Oxfordshire County Council’s A40 improvement programme.

This significant funding boost from Homes England and the Department for Transport will enable the council to provide infrastructure for better bus travel and safer walking and cycling for many thousands of people who travel along the A40 between Eynsham Park and Ride and Oxford.

The council’s proposed scheme includes a new junction that will connect to the new park and ride at Eynsham, enabling it to become operational, new bus lanes, and upgraded walking and cycling facilities. These will all make a difference to the commutes of current and future residents, as well as visitors to Oxford, by opening up new travel options and making journeys safer and faster.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “We are happy to have received the support of Homes England and the Department for Transport for our plan. This investment is a crucial step towards improving the overall travel experience along the A40 in West Oxfordshire. 

“We are prioritising improvements to bus travel here, as well as walking and cycling infrastructure to help create a more sustainable, healthier and connected county. This project could really bring a step change in travel for those who live in, work in and visit West Oxfordshire and for people using the A40 between Witney, Eynsham and Oxford.”  

The proposed project is in line with the council's vision for a greener, healthier, more accessible county. Together with the park and ride site at Eynsham, the planned bus lanes and active travel facilities are expected to help support the provision of new homes in the West Oxfordshire area.  

The current scheme designs come after an extensive review of the A40 improvements programme due to continued high inflation and construction cost increases since 2020. Despite the challenge of global inflationary pressures, the council has worked with the government to secure the funding, adapting the programme's design and phasing its delivery to provide upgrades to travel in this area. Future planned phases of work can be provided when further funding has been sourced.

The funding secured for the scheme comes from the Department for Transport’s retained Local Growth Fund and Homes England’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF).  

With this funding approval in place, the county council must now prepare to apply for planning permission. Accompanying this process, the council will be planning a number of engagement opportunities for the public to review the plans in detail from November 2024.

Subject to planning permission, construction could start in early 2026 and last for two years.

More Information

The council will seek planning permission for the whole scheme between Eynsham Park and Ride and Wolvercote. Subject to permission, the scheme will then be delivered in phases according to the agreed funding. The approved funding will allow delivery of Phase 1, while future phases may be funded by other parties that the county council is currently negotiating with. 

Phase 1 of the scheme includes

• Constructing a new junction onto the A40 to bring the Eynsham park and ride into use
• A bus lane eastbound between the new Eynsham park and ride and Cassington Junction, a bus lane eastbound from Duke’s Cut Bridge to tie-into the existing Oxford North Junction bus lane and a westbound bus lane at Cassington Junction and then up to the Eynsham park and ride, focused on the parts of the route where buses and their passengers will get the most journey time savings
• A continuous, upgraded walking and cycling path between Eynsham park and ride and Cassington Junction on the south side of the A40. An upgraded walking and cycling path on the north side of the A40 between Eynsham park and ride and Lower Road Roundabout
• Localised upgrades of the walking and cycling path on the south side of the A40 between Cassington Junction and Wolvercote  
• New signal-controlled crossings at points along the A40 corridor to make walking and cycling safer and more enjoyable.