A40 bus priority planned

Plans for bus priority measures have been announced for the A40 between Witney and Oxford. The move, made by Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet, is aimed at solving transport problems by providing bus priority lanes and a new dual carriageway. Council transport planners will now draw up more detailed plans which, it is hoped, will help to secure more than £50m in government funding to make the proposals a reality.

Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, said, ‘Improving the A40 corridor is a priority for Oxfordshire County Council and the work we already have funding for will be the biggest the county council has delivered. We understand the frustrations of users of this major route. As the local MP, Prime Minister David Cameron has stated in the past, ‘The A40 is the foot on the windpipe of the West Oxfordshire economy’, and so by improving the A40 this will encourage more businesses to re locate to West Oxfordshire offering more jobs. Building the dual carriageway and second bus lane is some way in the future and there’s a number of hurdles to overcome first. But now we have made a decision about what we need the ball is rolling. Being clear about the type of infrastructure we want means we can build a strong case to government, and have a greater chance of securing the necessary funding.’

In 2015 the county council held a series of Connecting Oxfordshire consultation events and presented the public with information on the problems and potential solutions.