Oxfordshire County Council has officially reopened the A40 Shores Green junction with the B4022 today, Friday, July 17.

It comes as part of a long-awaited scheme to improve access between Witney and the major trunk road while easing congestion in the town centre.

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A re-opening event to celebrate the completion of the £26.8million scheme was attended by Witney MP Charlie Maynard, the county council’s highways cabinet member Liz Leffman, and representatives from local authorities and the project team.

Speaking on site, Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways construction and repair, said: “This project has been a long time coming, and residents have advocated for it for years.

“We are delighted to have been able to deliver this scheme on time and in budget and seeing it in use this morning has been a joy.

Cars trying out the newly-opened A40 slip roads (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

“This is an important project, and the improvements here will provide Witney with better connections to and from the A40, taking traffic out of the town centre, supporting active travel, and benefitting communities, businesses and visitors for many years to come.”

The project provides a new eastbound off-slip and westbound on-slip to the A40, and has improved pathways, crossings, drainage and signage on the road.

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Witney MP Charlie Maynard said: “I’m delighted that the Shores Green junction is now open.

“After decades of waiting, the collaboration between a number of councils resulted in getting the necessary funding and driving the project to completion.

“Well done to everyone involved.”

Drone shots of the Witney A40 scheme, taken in May 2026 (Image: Ed Nix)

Councillor Ruth Smith, leader of Witney Town Council, added: “This junction means a great deal to Witney residents.

“I first visited Witney on a 100 bus in the late 90s and was baffled by the junction.

“It’s an anomaly that’s needed fixing for decades.

“Thank you to all the councillors and officers who kept the call for it and the project alive and brought us to this point.

“I look forward to data on the impact it makes on traffic flow and air quality.

“I hope we all find it less frustrating to visit the other side of town and to venture West more readily.”

Enabling works for the project began in February 2025, with construction starting later that spring, with the project delivered by M Group on behalf of the county council.

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Mark Smith, senior project manager at M Group, said: “M Group is proud to have successfully delivered the Access to Witney scheme.

“This project demonstrates the value of a strong collaborative relationship between M Group and Oxfordshire County Council.”

Funding came from Homes England via the Housing and Growth Deal fund, as well as Section 106 developer contributions and traffic congestion improvement funds.

Known for his role as school bully Mason Radcliffe, Luca’s character was killed off in a January storyline last year.

Now, the actor is making strides in his post-Corrie career with the launch of his own production company.

Corrie star Luca Toolan enjoying new career after exit

Speaking in a recent TikTok interview with Phil Roberts on Cheshire’s Mix 56, the 22-year-old said: “Life after Corrie, I’m not actually dead.

“Life continues, I’m making my own stuff now, I’ve got my own production company so that’s my passion is making projects.”

He continued: “It’s a dream come true, that’s the stuff that really excites me, having that creative licence and writing, directing, making, hearing stuff.

“Honestly, that’s the most fun stuff.”

Fans were quick to offer messages of encouragement in the comments section.

One wrote: “Good luck to you, I would love to see you in Corrie again.”

Another said: “Your doing really well, I hope you’re doing great @Lucaku.”

Mason was depicted as a relentless bully who nearly drove classmate Liam Connor to suicide in a devastating storyline.

In his final appearance on the soap, Mason was confronted by his brothers after they learned he had reported them for murder.

He was chased down and fatally stabbed with his own knife after a struggle involving Dylan.

Bleeding and disoriented, Mason collapsed in a playground and was discovered by Abi Webster, who desperately tried to keep him alive.

He died later in hospital.

Reflecting on his exit, Luca expressed both sadness and gratitude.

He said: “Of course when I first heard there was a mixture of emotions because I was sad that Mason was going to die and that means I would be leaving, but equally I was really excited and honoured to be part of this storyline because it’s an incredibly important issue that needs to be tackled.

“I feel so privileged to have had this opportunity to start my professional career at Coronation Street and what a great time I’ve had.”

Although his time on the cobbles has ended, Mr Toolan’s new path signals the beginning of an ambitious next chapter as he takes control of his own creative storytelling.

Who is your favourite character on Coronation Street? Let us know in the comments.

RAF Benson in South Oxfordshire has issued a ‘community information notice’ about the event coming up this Sunday, July 19, from 8pm to midnight on the airfield.

A pest control shoot is a wildlife management method where firearms, usually air rifles or shotguns, are used to cull animals like birds, including pigeons and magpies, and rabbits, squirrels and foxes.

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A statement from RAF Benson said: “This activity forms part of routine airfield wildlife and pest management measures to help maintain the safety of flying operations.

“Personnel will be operating within the airfield boundary during this period.

“Local residents may notice increased activity and intermittent noise associated with the operation.

“All activity will be conducted by trained personnel and in accordance with relevant safety procedures.

“We thank the local community for their understanding and continued support.”