Reassurances after A40 road works start date error

Reassurances have been made that work on a £25m road scheme will start in "early 2025" after an error in the initial announcement.

Labour's Duncan Enright said the start date for the Access to Witney project, which involves building new slip roads at the A40's junction with Shores Green, had initially been announced as 2026 at a full council meeting.

It was hoped the project would get under way this year after having been in the planning for almost 15 years.

Speaking on BBC Radio Oxford, Mr Enright encouraged residents to "get down and take photos, get evidence" once the work starts.

Access to Witney is part of wider A40 work between Witney and Oxford, which aims to deliver "a new park and ride, new bus lanes, junction improvements, and better walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure".

It proposes the building of westbound slip roads at the A40/B4022 Shores Green junction, allowing traffic from the east to access the westbound A40 without going via the town centre.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council confirmed construction would now begin in early 2025 and end in spring 2026.

It had initially been due to begin in November this year but was held up due to "a delay in land negotiations and the compulsory purchase order decision", the spokesperson added.

Mr Enright said that prior to the council meeting on Tuesday, the traffic closure order for works in 2024 had been cancelled "and initially a 2026 start date was given".

"We had a scare," he continued.

"This was subsequently amended to 2025 but there is still concern about when exactly we will see this crucial work completed."

He said all Labour councillors in Witney would "keep a very close eye on progress and expect work to begin early in the New Year".

"People across Witney are incredibly frustrated by this delay... I share the frustration," he continued.

He added the project would "both address congestion and pollution levels" in the town.

"It's going to be really great place for public transport but it's also... a really wonderful place for the markets and the events, and the shops are going to do even better," he said.

The county council added that a new temporary traffic regulation order was in place and installation of advance warning signs would start next month.

Residents can continue to share their views on the A40 Eynsham Park and Ride to Wolvercote project until 1 January.

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