Oxford to Expressway The preferred corridor

2018

Contents

Introduction 6 Corridor decision 8 The case for intervention 10 Benefits 13 Options considered 14 How we assessed the corridor options 17 The preferred corridor 18 Our approach to the environment 21 Working with stakeholders 22 What happens next? 24 How to find out more 25 Contact us 25

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Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Foreword

The Oxford to Cambridge growth arc contains some of the most The huge potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway is productive places in the UK. For decades the region has been matched by the scale of the work that is yet to come and our project a hub of learning, economic growth and innovation. Home to milestones cannot be realised without the input of our partners, 3.3 million people, the area is a national asset attracting talent stakeholders and the public. Highways England, along with our and investment into the UK and powering Britain’s economy. delivery partners, appreciate the contribution by our stakeholders, working with us in the project’s development. Indeed, their input has The project to develop a new fast, high quality link road signifies been extremely valuable to the development of the project so far. the government’s commitment to invest in the area. This project will deliver faster and more reliable journeys between the major This brochure explains our best performing corridors and cities of Oxford, and Cambridge, increasing the evidence on which this has been based. The next step opportunities for economic growth and new homes for the benefit in the programme is to continue work with our partners and of communities in and around the area for decades to come. stakeholders as we work towards a shortlist of route proposals to be presented to the public in 2019 for feedback. We have collected a huge amount of data and information which has been used for corridor selection. Building on this evidence base, further detailed studies will inform the development of routes within the selected corridor. We do not underestimate the impacts of a scheme of this size and our investigations have ensured that environmental and heritage designations have been fully considered in corridor selection.

Matt Stafford

Project Director, Highways England

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Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor A46 Rugby M42 A11 A45 A14 Huntingdon A45 A1 Kenilworth A423 A14 Royal M45 Wellingborough M40 A46 Leamington Rushden A1 Spa A5 A14 Northampton A14 Newmarket Bury Warwick A45 A428 A14 St Edmunds Daventry Cambridge Cambridge Stratford- upon-Avon M1 A11 Introduction A421 M40 Towcester Area for route options development A1 Haverhill Biggleswade Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge are growing fast in a region This is a central corridor that stretches between Abingdon (indicative only) A43 A5 renowned for innovation and where there are plans for a substantial and Milton Keynes, and is broadly aligned with the proposed Royston Saffron Banbury Walden increase in jobs and housing. Yet, the east-west transport connections route. The map shows its boundaries and the Milton Keynes between these areas are notoriously poor with issues such as road will pass either to the southeast or west of Oxford. Brackley Letchworth Baldock congestion, slow speeds, poor journey time reliability and no single Newton Highways England has undertaken an evidenced based assessment Longville route to travel from end to end. It is easier to travel into London Moreton- Hitchin M11 to recommend the most suitable of 7 potential corridors in the region. in-Marsh from the three cities than go from one to the other. This creates a Chipping A5 London Norton Leighton Braintree huge barrier and risk to future growth, while a housing shortfall is Inside this booklet, you can discover more about our Stow-on- Luton A1(M) Stansted Great the Wold Buzzard A5 Bishop’s Dunmow stifling further investment and is a major concern for the region. findings and the next steps for the project. London Stevenage Stortford East West Rail Luton A120

Before developing detailed routes, the government has announced This is just the first step in the process; we will work with Dunstable OS 100030649 2018 rights and database copyright © Crown the broad area – or corridor – for the location of a new fast high stakeholders and communities to investigate a number of Witham quality link road to help improve connectivity across the region. potential routes. Put simply, these will show in more detail the Harpenden Hertford Ware Kidlington Harlow site and setting of the new road and improvements – and we will Witney Tring Hemel St Albans Welwyn Hempstead Garden Oxford City share these with the public for feedback in Autumn 2019. Hoddesdon Thame A414 Hatfield Chelmsford Chesham A34 Potters Epping Lechlade- Bar on-Thames A405 M40 Amersham A1 M25 High Brentwood A12 Abingdon Watford Wycombe M1 Barnet Billericay Faringdon Milton Beaconsfield M11 Gerrards M25 A1023 Rayleigh Cross Harrow Wallingford Didcot A40 Ilford Romford Wantage Basildon A404 A308(M) M4 LONDON London Henley- Maidenhead A34 Slough Ealing City Dagenham A13 on- City Canvey Thames M4 A1089 Island Reading A404(M) Tilbury Preferred corridor M4 A282 6 M4 M4 Richmond 7 Windsor A3113 London Heathrow Ebbsfleet A30 A2 A2 Rochester Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor OxfordMarlborough to Cambridge ExpresswayHungerford The preferred corridor Egham Bracknell Staines A316 Gravesend Croydon Wokingham M3 Esher A20 Gillingham Orpington M20 Sutton Rainham Newbury M25 Chatham M3 A3 Camberley Biggin Woking Hill M25 M26 Corridor decision

The preferred corridor identifies the area where we will begin West of the M40, the evidence does not provide as decisive a case detailed work to find potential routes for the fast, high quality, road in favour of one corridor over another. The existing A34 is heavily link. Over the next year, we will look within this area to find the most congested, and our discussions with stakeholders have shown that likely route that the road could take. The leading routes will in turn improvements here are an important part of any plan for the wider be subject to a full public consultation. Oxford-Cambridge corridor. Oxford is growing fast, but they have argued that without some improvement around Oxford it will be difficult for After examining the evidence, we have identified that between the employers to access a wider labour market, or for people living across M1 and the M40 a corridor running near to the proposed East West the corridor to get to work in the city. Our analysis supports this claim. Railway will provide the greatest benefits. According to our analysis, this route is able to support existing transport needs, as well as The existing A34 runs to the west of Oxford, where it is near a number transformational growth, regeneration and redevelopment across of protected sites, and runs through the suburb of Botley. Alternatively the wider corridor. It will provide significantly shorter journey times routes to the east and south or Oxford would affect other parts of the for getting between the M40 and M1, providing the area with better city’s Green Belt. We want to examine the options in this area further, access to opportunities for jobs, services, leisure and education. considering what kinds of environmental mitigation can be applied to This corridor also provides a southern bypass to Milton Keynes, reduce or avoid environmental effects and taking more evidence from reducing congestion and helping to support the continued growth of local people, before identifying the best way forward. the town. However our work to date does allow us to rule out one of the southern The benefits of building the road in the same area as the new corridors around Oxford – B2. The benefits of this corridor are no greater railway line have been clear. While there is still discussion about than other options, but the environmental impacts on the area around the how best to develop new housing in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, Otmoor nature reserve would be worse. Therefore, we will not consider by placing road and rail in close alignment we can make it easier routes through this area in the next stage. for people to choose between different modes of transport. Any communities built or expanded near to the fast, high quality, road Overall, this combined corridor should be able to bring up to 470,000 link would be able to use the railway, and vice versa – thereby more people within commuting distance of the Oxford Science Park, and reducing the risk of car-dependency. add tens of billions to the area’s economy. It could reduce journey times for Abingdon to Milton Keynes by up to 40 minutes and improve safety for all. We therefore intend to proceed with further design on this basis. 8 9

Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor The case for intervention An extra 384,000 The story so far 470,000 people within people within a 45-minute a 45 minute drive time of As part of the government’s first Road Investment Strategy (RIS drive time into Milton Keynes 1), Highways England was asked to explore the case for a fast, the Oxford Science Park high-quality road link to better connect Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge. This included filling the ‘missing link’, a 30 mile gap in aster and m the network between the M1 at Milton Keynes and the M40 at Oxford, F or e including new capacity at Oxford to relieve pressure on the A34. re Economic output l Journey times ia Stakeholders have been integral to the development of the project in the region could reduced by up b be £163 billion since its inception in 2015 when a Stakeholder Reference Group was to 40 minutes l higher than in 2014 Oxford to e

set up to ensure that stakeholders views are understood and properly – equivalent to an j o Better access to economy the size considered during the study process. We have since been working Cambridge u jobs, services

of Scotland. r and amenities with stakeholders and partners on the first phase of the project, using n for local

Expressway e communities

analytical and evidence-based reviews to understand which of the Up to 1.1 y

proposed corridors should be taken forward for further development. million extra The case and s jobs across A high level case for the project was published in November the corridor benefits for a new Traffic near Abingdon (NIC estimates) 2016, when the government committed £27 million to its further high quality link road development. At Autumn Budget 2017, the Chancellor committed Improving job opportunities to delivering a missing link in the strategic road network between for local Traffic communities forecast to Oxford and Cambridge by 2030. This includes the gap between rise by up to the M1 and the M40, and potential enhancements around Oxford Brings business 40% by 2035 and world leading either on the existing road network or by creating new capacity. universities Improves closer together safety, This will complement our commitment to dual the last Reduces air quality freight and noise remaining stretch of single carriageway on the A428 linking traffic on with - an integral part of local roads plans to improve connections across the region. 10 11

Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor The case for a fast, high quality link The National Infrastructure Commission concluded: Benefits The most direct route linking Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge „„ The knowledge-driven economy of this collection of cities is from the M4 to the M11 is of variable standard and quality which impressive, but its future economic health is threatened by a Faster and more reliable journeys Putting the right traffic on the right roads affects journey times, reliability and safety. Traffic is forecast to lack of suitable and affordable housing, and the appropriate A reduction in journey times by up to 40 minutes and improved safety Reduces need for freight on local roads and will reduce long distance increase between 32% to 40% by 2035 and in the absence of connecting infrastructure to support ‘good growth’. and resilience. traffic on the local roads in Milton Keynes. transport improvements, congestion is expected to become worse. „„ Without a joined-up plan for housing, jobs and infrastructure Delivering better connections between important growth areas will across the corridor, it will be left behind by its international More jobs and better opportuities Improving safety help unlock transformational growth. The problem is particularly competitors… new east-west transport links present a once-in- Improved connections are predicted to bring an additional 384,000 For all users – not just motorists. Reducing congestion will improve air acute in cities such as Oxford, where limited housing stock a-generation opportunity to secure the area’s future success. people into a 45-minute drive time of Milton Keynes and 470,000 more quality and noise. means that for many people houses prices are unaffordable into the Oxford Science Park. which constrains economic growth and job creation. A high „„ A more connected corridor would establish a stronger sense of Encourages sustainable travel A new link road would support the National Infrastructure Commission quality link road will complement East West Rail and form part unity, but it is essential that this is achieved in a way that reinforces Reducing congestion will encourage sustainable travel modes that can estimate that up to 1.1 million extra jobs could be generated across of an integrated strategic transport solution, bringing jobs, skills, the diversity and different contributions of the places along the way. be accessed by all. We will deliver an asset that links with other modes the corridor. housing, business and world leading universities closer together. of travel such as East West Rail to give travellers more choice. „„ The proposed East West Rail and Oxford-Cambridge The government also asked the National Infrastructure Regional economic growth Expressway projects would provide a step change in Better connections Commission (NIC) which provides expert, impartial advice on Annual output along the Cambridge Milton Keynes and Oxford corridor connectivity across the arc, linking its major economic Better connects people and places. The government has infrastructure, to consider the growth potential of the Oxford to could be £163 billion higher than in 2014 – equivalent to an economy centres in a way not seen for over half a century. commissioned England’s Economic Heartland to consider how Cambridge arc. In its Partnering for Prosperity report, the NIC the size of Scotland. communities close but not on the route can benefit. estimates that the region could support 1.1 million new jobs and „„ As well as providing connectivity between the M4, M40, M1, A1(M) economic output would increase up to £163 billion per year. and M11, the link road offers an attractive and efficient route for Better access to services and facilities Supports the region’s future growth Improved access to jobs, services and amenities for local communities freight and long-distance trips as well as enhanced connectivity Providing certainty as early as possible to facilitate development of and to tourist destinations for leisure travelers. between key local and regional growth areas in the arc. regional growth plans, regeneration and development .

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Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Options considered

The Oxford to Cambridge Expressway Strategic Study Stage 3 Report published in November 2016 assessed corridor options between the M40 and M1 and corridor sub-options around Oxford. These were sifted against the scheme’s strategic objectives. Broad corridors were identified to allow for the assessment and comparison of multiple routes in future stages.

The study considered possible corridors in the study area shown below leading to a shortlist of:

„„ Corridor A: via Aylesbury

„„ Corridor B: the East-West Rail corridor

„„ Corridor C: the existing A421 corridor and

„„ A number of sub options around Oxford M1 junction 13 Milton Keynes

In June 2017, these options were taken forward for further analysis by Highways England. Together with the sub options these were refined into seven corridor sub-options which have been independently assessed. The work over the last year has focussed on the ability of each corridor option to deliver the government’s strategic objectives for the project.

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Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor A46 Rugby A46 Rugby M42 M42 A11 A11 A45 A45 A14 Huntingdon A14 Huntingdon A45 A1 A45 A1 Kenilworth A423 Kenilworth A423 A14 A14 Royal M45 Wellingborough Royal M45 Wellingborough M40 A46 M40 A46 Leamington Rushden LeamingtonA1 Rushden A1 Spa A5 Spa A14A5 A14 Northampton Northampton A14 A14 Newmarket Bury Newmarket Bury Warwick A45 Warwick A45 St Neots A428 A14 St Edmunds St Neots A428 A14 St Edmunds Daventry Daventry Cambridge Cambridge Cambourne Cambourne Cambridge Cambridge Stratford- Stratford- upon-Avon upon-Avon M1 Bedford A11 M1 Bedford A11 A421 A421 M40 Towcester M40 Towcester A1 Haverhill A1 Haverhill Biggleswade Biggleswade A43 A5 A43 A5 Royston Saffron Royston Saffron Banbury Banbury Walden Walden Milton Keynes Milton Keynes Oxford to CambridgeBrackley Expressway Oxford to CambridgeBrackley Expressway How we assessed the corridor options Corridor A (indicative only) Buckingham LetchworthCorridor BBaldock (indicative only) Buckingham Letchworth Baldock Newton Longville Moreton- Moreton- Hitchin M11 Hitchin M11 in-Marsh in-Marsh Chipping A5 Chipping London A5 London Norton Bicester Leighton Norton Bicester Leighton Braintree Braintree Stow-on- Stow-on- Luton A1(M) Stansted Great Luton A1(M) Objective Stansted Great Description the Wold Buzzard the Wold A5 Bishop’s DunmowBuzzard A5 Bishop’s Dunmow A46 Rugby Stevenage Stortford Stevenage Stortford M42 London A11 London A45 East West Rail A14 East West Rail A120 A120 A45 Luton Huntingdon Luton Provide an east-west road link between Milton Keynes and Oxford that delivers enhanced Dunstable A1 B1 Dunstable Kenilworth A423 Connectivity A14 Witham Withamconnectivity through faster, safer and more reliable connections across the corridor. Royal M45 Wellingborough A46 Aylesbury Harpenden Hertford Ware Aylesbury Harpenden Hertford Ware M40 Leamington Kidlington Rushden Kidlington Spa A5 A1 Harlow Harlow Witney Tring Witney A14B2 / B3 Tring Support the creation of an integrated corridor between Oxford and Cambridge, reflecting and Northampton Hemel St Albans Welwyn Hemel St Albans Welwyn Oxford Hempstead Garden Oxford Newmarket A14Hempstead Garden Strategic transformation A45 City Bury City Warwick HoddesdonA428 St Edmunds Hoddesdon advancing plans for infrastructure, housing, business investment and development. Thame A414 St NeotsHatfield ThameA14Chelmsford A414 Hatfield Chelmsford Daventry A34 Chesham A34 CambridgeEpping Chesham Epping Potters Cambourne Potters Unlock the economic potential in the corridor by facilitating growth to the benefit of the UK economy. Lechlade- Lechlade- Bar Bar on-Thames on-Thames Cambridge Economic growth Stratford- A405 A405 M40 Amersham M25 M40 Amersham M25 Maximise synergies with East West Rail. upon-Avon A1 A12 A1 A12 Abingdon High Abingdon Brentwood High Brentwood M1 Bedford Watford A11 Watford Wycombe A421M1 Barnet Wycombe Billericay M1 Barnet Billericay Promote accessibility and wider socio-economic benefits by improving access to job opportunities Towcester A46 Rugby Faringdon Beaconsfield FaringdonM42 Beaconsfield A11 M40 Milton A45 Milton M11 A14 Huntingdon Skills andM11 Accessibility Gerrards A1 A45 A1023A1 Haverhill GerrardsRayleigh A1023 Rayleighat key employment centres, developments, and at education, leisure, health, and retail facilities. M25 Kenilworth A423 M25 Cross Harrow A14 Cross Harrow Biggleswade Royal M45 Wellingborough Wallingford A5 M40 A46 Wallingford A43 Leamington Rushden A1 Didcot A40 Spa DidcotA5 Ilford Romford A14 A40 Ilford Romford Northampton A14 Newmarket Bury To provide a healthy, natural environment by reducing congestion, supporting sustainable travel Wantage Wantage Warwick Royston A45 Saffron Basildon Basildon A404 A404St Neots A428 A14 St Edmunds Banbury A308(M) Daventry Walden A308(M) M4 LONDON M4 Cambridge LONDON Environment London Cambourne London modes and promoting equality and opportunity. MiltonHenley- Keynes Maidenhead Slough Henley- Maidenhead Slough Cambridge A34 Brackley EalingStratford- A34 City Dagenham A13 Ealing City Dagenham A13 on- upon-Avon City on- Canvey City Canvey Thames M4 M1 ThamesBedford A11 M4 Buckingham Letchworth Baldock A421 A1089 Island A1089 Island Newton M40 Towcester Apply innovative technology wherever possible to support the sustainable planning, construction Reading A404(M) Reading A404(M)A1 Tilbury Haverhill Tilbury Longville Biggleswade Moreton- HitchinM4 A43 A5 M11 A282 M4 Innovation A282 Richmond Richmond and operation of transport measures. in-Marsh M4 M4 M4 M4 Royston Saffron Windsor A3113 London Heathrow Banbury Ebbsfleet Windsor A3113Walden London Heathrow Ebbsfleet Chipping A30 Milton Keynes A30 A5 Brackley London A2 Rochester A2 Rochester Norton Bicester Leighton Buckingham A2 Braintree A2 Stow-on- GreatLetchworth Baldock Marlborough Marlborough Luton A1(M) Newton Stansted Reduce the impact of new housing on local roads for communities and contribute to better safety, Hungerford Buzzard Egham A5 Hungerford Bishop’sLongville Egham the Wold Bracknell Staines Moreton- GravesendDunmowHitchin Bracknell M11Staines Gravesend in-MarshA316 Stevenage Stortford A316 Planning for the future Wokingham London Chipping Croydon A5 Wokingham London Croydon M3 Esher Bicester LeightonA20 Gillingham M3 EsherBraintree A20 Gillingham Norton M20 Great M20 security and health whilst promoting sustainable transport modes. East West Rail Stow-on- Orpington Buzzard Luton A120A1(M) Stansted Orpington the Wold Luton Sutton A5 Stevenage Bishop’sRainham Dunmow Sutton Rainham Newbury Newbury London Chatham Stortford Chatham C1 Dunstable East West Rail M25 Luton A120 M25 A3 Dunstable A3 M3 M3 Witham Witham Aylesbury Harpenden Hertford Ware Kidlington BigginWare Harlow Biggin AylesburyCamberley Woking HarpendenWitney Hertford M25 M26Camberley Woking M25 M26 Tring Hemel St Albans Welwyn Kidlington Hill Hempstead Garden Hill Oxford Harlow City Hoddesdon The corridor options were assessed against the strategic objectives set „„ A strategic delivery assessment covering the Witney Tring Hemel Welwyn Thame A414 Hatfield Chelmsford St Albans Chesham GardenA34 Potters Epping Oxford Hempstead Lechlade- Bar on-Thames City by the (see table). issues associated with building the project. A405 Hoddesdon M40 Amersham A1 M25 Thame A414 Hatfield High Brentwood A12 C2 / C3 Abingdon ChelmsfordWatford Wycombe M1 Barnet Billericay Chesham Faringdon Milton Beaconsfield M11 A34 Epping Gerrards M25 A1023 Rayleigh Potters Cross Harrow Lechlade- Bar Wallingford „„ Technical data on traffic, economics, environment, Didcot A40 Ilford Romford We also considered: on-Thames Wantage Basildon A404 A405 A308(M) LONDON M40 M25 M4 London Amersham A1 Henley- Maidenhead Slough growth and stakeholder engagement. A34 Ealing City Dagenham A13 Oxford to Cambridge Expressway on- Oxford to CambridgeA12 City Expressway Canvey High Thames Brentwood M4 „„ The Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) performance in Abingdon Watford A1089 Island Wycombe Reading A404(M) Tilbury Corridor C (indicative only) M1 Barnet Common CorridorsM4 Billericay (indicative only)A282 M4 M4 Richmond Windsor A3113 London Heathrow Ebbsfleet particular relation to the government’s Five Case Model. This Beaconsfield A30 A2 For more information on our assessment method and Faringdon Milton M11 A2 Rochester Marlborough Hungerford Egham Gerrards Bracknell Staines A316A1023 Rayleigh Gravesend M25 Wokingham Croydon M3 Esher A20 M20 Gillingham evaluates five factors: the case for change, the public value, the Cross Harrow Orpington findings, please read the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway Sutton Rainham Wallingford Newbury M25 Chatham Didcot A40 © CrownIlford copyrightM3Romford and databaseA3 rights 2018 OS 100030649 16 Biggin Camberley commercial considerations, costs and the ability to deliver. Corridor Assessment Report on our website. 17 Wantage Woking Basildon Hill M25 M26 A404 A308(M) M4 LONDON London Henley- Maidenhead A34 Slough Ealing City Dagenham A13 on- City Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferredCanvey corridor Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Thames M4 A1089 Island Reading A404(M) Tilbury M4 A282 M4 M4 Richmond Windsor A3113 London Heathrow Ebbsfleet A30 A2 A2 Rochester Marlborough Hungerford Egham Bracknell Staines A316 Gravesend Croydon Wokingham M3 Esher A20 Gillingham Orpington M20 Sutton Rainham Newbury M25 Chatham M3 A3 Camberley Biggin Woking Hill M25 M26 A46 Rugby M42 A11 A45 A14 Huntingdon A45 A1 Kenilworth A423 A14 Royal M45 Wellingborough M40 A46 Leamington Rushden A1 Spa A5 A14 Northampton A14 Together with the sub options, 7 corridors have been further Newmarket Bury Warwick A45 St Neots A428 A14 St Edmunds The preferred corridor refined and independently assessed. These are defined Daventry Cambridge as C1,C2 and C3, B1,B2 and B3 and Corridor A. Preferred corridor and common corridors Cambourne Cambridge Stratford- upon-Avon (indicative only) The corridor defines the broad area where the route could Corridor B2 is rejected because, while it offers similar M1 Bedford A11 be located. The corridors are large areas and further work is benefits, at a similar predicted cost to B3, the environmental A421 M40 Towcester required to develop detailed route options in the next stages. impacts around the Horspath and Wheatley areas are A1 Haverhill Biggleswade substantially more difficult to overcome. There are also a A43 A5 Overall, Corridor B delivers better benefits for the region and Royston Saffron number of significant constraints as the corridor heads north Banbury Walden outperforms both Corridor A and C in supporting strategic towards Bicester, including Otmoor Nature Reserve. Brackley Milton Keynes transformation and economic growth, as well as providing wider Buckingham Letchworth Baldock We have chosen two corridors for further development. This provides Newton benefits such as better access to jobs, education, leisure and health Longville Moreton- Hitchin M11 services. Corridor B will also help the region plan for the future, the opportunity to validate their performance against the objectives in-Marsh Chipping A5 London in more detail and gives the public the chance to influence decision Norton Bicester Leighton Braintree reducing the effects of new housing on local roads for communities Stow-on- Luton A1(M) Stansted Great the Wold Buzzard A5 Bishop’s OS 100030649 2018 rights and database copyright © Crown Dunmow and contribute to better safety whilst promoting sustainable making, particularly on the routes around Oxford at public consultation London Stevenage Stortford East West Rail Luton A120 transport modes. Therefore corridors A and C are rejected. We have therefore recommended Corridors Dunstable B1 and B3 are taken forward. Witham Aylesbury Harpenden Hertford Ware Kidlington Harlow Main advantages of B1 and B3 Witney Tring Hemel St Albans Welwyn Hempstead Garden Oxford City Hoddesdon Corridor Advantages Thame A414 Hatfield Chelmsford Chesham A34 Potters Epping Lechlade- Bar on-Thames „„ Offers the potential to use the existing highway infrastructure in a route to the west of Oxford A405 M40 Amersham A1 M25 High Brentwood A12 „„ Potential to minimise division of communities by a new or improved road Abingdon Watford Wycombe M1 Billericay Corridor B1 Barnet „„ Lowest predicted cost at this stage Faringdon Milton Beaconsfield M11 Gerrards M25 A1023 Rayleigh Cross Harrow Wallingford „„ Broad alignment with East West Rail thus enabling multi-modal transport corridor Didcot A40 Ilford Romford Wantage Basildon A404 A308(M) „„ Fewer sites with enviormental designations M4 LONDON London Henley- Maidenhead A34 Slough Ealing City Dagenham A13 on- City Canvey Thames M4 „„ Broad area to identify a suitable route to the east of Oxford A1089 Island Corridor B3 Reading A404(M) Tilbury „ M4 A282 „ Potential to move traffic away from existing settlements M4 M4 Richmond B1 Windsorcorridor A3113 LondonB3 Heathrowcorridor Common corridor Ebbsfleet A30 A2 „„ Broad alignment with East West Rail thus enabling multi-modal transport corridor A2 Rochester 18 Marlborough Hungerford Egham Bracknell Staines A316 Gravesend19 Croydon Wokingham M3 Esher A20 Gillingham Orpington M20 Sutton Chatham Rainham Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Oxford to Cambridge ExpresswayNewbury The preferred corridor M25 M3 A3 Camberley Biggin Woking Hill M25 M26 Our approach to the environment

Protecting the environment and the places we love is central to how we develop and build a major new road such as this.

We recognise that creating any new road infrastructure carries environmental challenges.

We are committed to finding solutions that have the least impact and avoid, minimise or mitigate the impact on the natural environment. More widely, the government’s 25 Year Plan for the Environment sets out our comprehensive approach to improving landscapes and habitats, and the aspiration to move to a policy of net environmental gain. We expect the policy for the wider Oxford-Cambridge corridor to embody this approach.

The road corridor decision is a key part of this. Based on the feedback we have received so far, we are able to rule out construction at Otmoor Nature Reserve. We expect to give similar certainty to more environmental sites in the year ahead.

As the detailed routes are developed, we will look to continue this work. We intend to consider innovative and meaningful environmental enhancements and will continue to work closely with Natural England, Historic England, the Environment Agency, The Wildlife Trust and local nature partnerships to integrate any route as far as possible into the area’s distinctive landscape.

We also want to work together with other key stakeholders including, but not limited to, local highway and planning authorities, community and residents’ groups, and environmental bodies, to develop 20 the mitigation strategy as the scheme develops over time. 21

Oxford to Cambridge Expressway Corridor Assessment Report Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Working with stakeholders Your views will help

We have been working with stakeholders to develop the project since Who we have engaged with shape the project inception. Early on in the project, we set up a framework to guide how we would engage with the stakeholder community. Engagement was The purpose of this engagement was to access the unique knowledge undertaken in the following phases: of the region and its communities to help inform our technical assessment. Because of the size of the study area and the early stage of development, the focus of engagement has been on key „„ From 2015 - we worked with stakeholders throughout the study stakeholders who have a strategic overview of the project and represent process to understand their views and ensure consideration. communities, businesses and related projects in the area including MPs, local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, and the Strategic „„ October 2017 to January 2018 - we met with stakeholders to Stakeholder Group. Key stakeholders include local authority leaders introduce the project and gather views on the engagement and technical officers, regional business groups, road user groups, framework plans. utilities and infrastructure, environmental groups, MPs and related projects such as East West Rail. „„ January to April 2018 – we listened to the views and opinions of stakeholders and gathered technical information to support corridor This is just the start of the engagement process and it will continue sifting. We formally asked stakeholders to submit their views on the to evolve to support the project following corridor announcement and corridors and held workshops to stimulate discussion on the options. beyond. We recognise that many people will want to have their voices heard as part of this process, particularly where they may be affected „„ April to summer 2018 – we analysed the feedback and technical by potential routes. There will be opportunities for people to get information as part of the corridor selection process. involved and help shape our plans through consultations, the first of „„ After summer 2018 - will communicate the rationale behind the which is expected in autumn 2019. preferred corridors.

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Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor The development process and What happens next? key milestones for the Oxford How to find out more Contact us England’s Economic Heartland will start work on a to Cambridge Expressway connectivity study to understand how communities The Oxford to Cambridge Expressway Corridor Assessment @ [email protected] Report which sets out the detailed analysis to support the not on the route itself can still benefit from it. Project initiated 0300 123 5000 corridor decision is available on our website. July 2017 * Highways England, Woodlands, Manton Lane, Bedford MK41 7LW Prior to consultation, our next step is to look at possible routes in each Corridor announcement preferred corridor. We will continue to work with our stakeholders, For the latest information 2018 while we investigate in more detail the economic, environmental, and to register for updates, visit Route options for traffic and cost impact of the possible options. There will be a public highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/oxford-to-cambridge-expressway public consultation consultation on the viable route options in autumn 2019. There will Autumn 2019 be a further consultation before we submit our planning application. Further reading The Oxford to Cambridge Expressway strategic study stage 3 The diagram shows the process for the Oxford to Cambridge Preferred route report, November 2016 Expressway including the timeframes for public consultation. announcement Autumn 2020 www.gov.uk/government/publications/oxford-to-cambridge- expressway-strategic-study-stage-3-report We are required to make an application for a Development Consent Order in order to gain permission to construct the road. The Consultation and Partnering for Prosperity: A new deal for the Oxford-Milton Planning Inspectorate will examine the application in public hearings preparation of orders DCO application Keynes-Cambridge arc, November 2017 and then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Examination by Planning www.nic.org.uk/publications/partnering-prosperity- Transport who will decide on whether the project will go ahead. Inspectorate and decision new-deal-cambridge-milton-keynes-oxford-arc/

If you would like any further information on the Development Consent Order process, please visit the Planning Inspectorate’s website: Commitment to construct http://infrastructure.planningportal.gov.uk 2025 ‘Missing link’ construction Road opened 2030

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Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor highwaysengland.co.uk/projects/oxford-to-cambridge-expressway

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Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor Oxford to Cambridge Expressway The preferred corridor If you need help accessing this or any other Highways England information, please call 0300 123 5000 and we will help you.

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This document is also available on our website at www.highwaysengland.co.uk For an accessible version of this publication please call 0300 123 5000 and we will help you.

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