Following recommendations from officers, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet has announced the withdrawal of the Compulsory Purchase and Side Roads Orders from the ongoing statutory process in a statement on the delivery of the HIF2 A40 improvements programme.
The decision follows a thorough review of the scheme undertaken as part of the programme in light of the global inflationary pressures experienced in all sectors.
As a result of this review, cost pressures have been identified that exceed current budgets. The withdrawal of these orders will allow time to further review the deliverability of the scheme and consider mitigations to the cost pressures.
The council is working with funding partners to identify the long-term implications for the scheme as quickly as possible. A project update will be provided to the Cabinet in early 2023.
The planning strategy to secure full planning permission for the entirety of the HIF2 scheme remains unchanged. However, in the context of this decision, this will be undergoing a careful review.
The HIF2 A40 improvements programme comprises six schemes as follows:
- A scheme to upgrade the A40 between east of Witney to the Eynsham park and ride site into a dual carriageway.
- A new 850 space park and ride in Eynsham will provide easier access to improved and more reliable bus services into Oxford.
- A 6.5km proposed eastbound and westbound bus priority corridor along the A40 between Eynsham park and ride, towards Duke’s Cut, with improved routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
- A new eastbound bus lane and improved cycling and pedestrian facilities linking together the A40 integrated bus lanes project with A40 Oxford North.
- The A40 Access to Witney scheme proposes improvements to the existing B4022/ A40 junction at Shores Green.
- Proposals for bus, cycle, and pedestrian routes between the Wolvercote roundabout and the A34 flyover.
Scheme 2 – the Eynsham park and ride project – which is fully funded, will proceed as planned. Preparatory work began on the site in October, and construction is expected to be completed in 2024.
Oxfordshire County Council has said that “it remains committed to the A40 programme and delivering long-term transport solutions for the area.”
The council will work closely with its partners to determine the best way to deliver the scheme.
