Travel improvements along A40 approved in Oxfordshire
Eynsham park and ride will soon be operational
Planning permission has been granted for a major project to enhance travel along the A40 between Eynsham park and ride and Wolvercote in Oxfordshire.
The approval, provided on 30th June 2026, marks significant progress in enabling more reliable journeys, faster bus travel, and improved walking and cycling facilities along the approximately 7.3 km stretch of the A40.
Oxfordshire County Council's plan features bus priority lanes, upgraded junctions, new crossings, and enhanced pathways for active travel. The construction contract, pending final agreement, is set to be awarded to Balfour Beatty.
Councillor Liz Leffman, Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, expressed satisfaction with the project's advancement, stating that securing planning consent allows the council to start delivering improvements aimed at making journeys more reliable and offering better travel choices.
Project Details and Benefits
Once operational, the Eynsham park and ride will significantly support sustainable travel and housing developments in the area.
With £126 million of government funding from Homes England and the Department for Transport, the first phase will prioritise a new junction to connect Eynsham park and ride to the A40, along with bus lanes and high-standard walking and cycling routes.
The project aims to minimise impacts on the surrounding landscape and ecology, and it has been shaped by five years of public and stakeholder engagement.
Phase 1 Focus
The first phase will focus on the section between Eynsham park and ride and Cassington, incorporating new bus lanes, crossings, and junction improvements across approximately 3.5 km
Additional works over Duke's Cut will provide an eastbound bus lane and enhance travel links to Oxford.
Councillor Leffman thanked those involved in the process for their input and patience, acknowledging their role in shaping the project’s final design.