A40 Eynsham Park & Ride progress is criticised
Preparatory works underway with opening expected in 2028
The A40 Eynsham park and ride project, spanning from Eynsham to Wolvercote, is making headway, with preparatory works like vegetation clearance and utility diversions currently active.
Oxfordshire County Council, collaborating with Balfour Beatty, has updated their construction programme for the £126 million initiative, following the planning permission granted in June 2026.
Enabling works are scheduled for autumn 2026, with main construction anticipated to begin in spring 2027.
The initial focus will be on connecting the park and ride to the A40.
The timeline expects the Eynsham park and ride to open for use by early summer 2028, and the entire project to be completed by summer 2029.
Detailed Plans and Statements
Councillor Liz Leffman, Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, stated: "The A40 Eynsham park and ride to Wolvercote project is an important investment in Oxfordshire's transport network that will enable the Eynsham park and ride to open, provide new bus lanes and improve walking and cycling facilities along the A40 corridor.
"We know people are keen to see these benefits delivered, and our focus is on progressing the work needed to connect the park and ride to the A40 and bring it into use as soon as possible."
While preparatory actions have started, the delayed opening has met with some frustration.
Councillor Liam Walker of the Oxfordshire alliance group commented, "We are where we are now with the planning permission but there’s obviously some sort of delay with the contractor to start getting it built, which is hugely disappointing because you’ve got a £51m asset sat there and it’s costing £10,000 a month to keep the weeds clear and keep the fencing round it.
"I think it’s slightly ironic that this project will be completed after the county council is set to be abolished through local government reorganisation. So, that kind of sums up where we are with the county council and just their failure to deliver key infrastructure like this.”