A40 and Eynsham Park and Ride link £70M works to begin

A four-and-a-half mile stretch of the A40, connecting Eynsham Park and Ride to Wolvercote, and widening of the road with new bus lanes, shared pedestrian/cycle lanes, and crossings are set to be built following the signing of a deal with builders Balfour Beatty.

On Monday, June 1, former council leader, now highways repair boss, Liz Leffman gave permission for a contract signing, saying: “This has been a long time in the making”

Liz Leffman (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

The decision comes after a council report warned further delays to the scheme “will result in the project costs exceeding the approved budget”.

The current projected costs are dependent on the works beginning in mid-June.

At the meeting, Ms Leffman asked if there are funds for any “extra costs” that may be incurred beyond the £70 million planned for the scheme.

Council officers said both the budgeted and contingency funds are in place.

They also explained the plan is intended to “reduce journey times” and Ms Leffman stated she hopes the scheme will “enhance” journeys for people using the A40.

There have been significant delays to the scheme, which started in 2022, only to be halted because of funding issues.

This has left the 19-acre Eynsham Park and Ride sitting idle since its completion in January 2024, costing around £10,000 a month in maintenance and security.

In recent months, the road scheme was held up due to a planning request for environmental information, which the report says “had a knock-on effect on the governance approval process and timings”.

Last week, Dan Levy, cabinet member for finance, said the unused park and ride facility had been “embarrassing” for the council, but it had been “the most cost-effective and efficient way to do things”.

The authority stated the park and ride was completed on time and to budget because of a separate ring-fenced grant, and if it had been delayed with the roadworks, it would have been hit by inflation.

Mr Levy stated: “It’s taken a lot of work to make sure that the scheme that will get approved next week will be one that fits the finance envelope and meets the environment agencies demands for that stretch of road.

“But it will finally happen.”

The completion of this scheme will mark the end of a wider A40 project aimed at improving transport connections, promoting sustainable travel such as cycling, and reducing emissions.