Welcome to the Exhibition

Home , Barnard Gate, Ducklington, South Leigh, Witney, Witney railway station

INVESTING IN THE A40

Welcome to the exhibition

The A40 is used by over 30,000 vehicles each day and is the main route linking the M40, Oxford, Cheltenham and South Wales.

This exhibition puts a spotlight on the A40 corridor. It sets out both what we are doing now to improve journeys for people and businesses who rely on this route, and why we need to attract further investment.

We have set out a range of options for the long-term future of the A40 corridor, including possibilities for buses, cars, trains and trams. We need your views on these options now, so that we can be ready to bid for future funding opportunities from government as they arise.

A44 Long Hanborough Gosford Yarnton A4095 If you have any questions as you go round, please A34 B4022

A40 A40 Cassington Minster Cutteslowe talk to a member of the project team who are here Lovell WITNEY B4477 Eynsham to help. Wolvercote Summertown A40 A40 Carterton B4449 A34 Barton Brize Norton Ducklington Marston Headington B4044 A415 New OXFORD Headington Risinghurst

B4449 A420 Botley

Cowley A34

Kennington Littlemore

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/connectingoxfordshire BACKGROUND

Oxfordshire is a prosperous and vibrant county, combining a successful, thriving economy with a high quality environment. Current forecasts are for over 85,000 new jobs and 100,000 new homes in the county by 2031.

This growth will have a significant impact on our transport network, with an ever increasing number of people and goods needing to use it. We cannot simply rely on small, short-term solutions; more radical solutions are required.

Connecting Oxfordshire, our new Local Transport Plan, was agreed in September. The key objectives of Connecting Oxfordshire are to:

• Support jobs and housing growth and economic vitality; • Reduce transport emissions and meet our obligations to Government; • Protect, and where possible enhance Oxfordshire’s environment and improve quality of life; and • Improve public health, air quality, safety and individual wellbeing.

Why we need to improve the A40

The A40 is a single carriageway road and on the section between Witney and Oxford, between 23,000 and 30,000 vehicles currently use it each day, which is above the road’s capacity.

Congestion on the road causes daily problems for road users and has been described by business leaders as one of the biggest barriers to economic growth and prosperity in West Oxfordshire.

The quality of life for residents, and future economic prosperity of this part of Oxfordshire - key objectives for our Local Transport Plan - are threatened unless a suitable, long-term solution for the A40 corridor is found.

This solution is likely to involve a combination of road and a public transport improvements.

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/connectingoxfordshire LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Oxfordshire County Council is committed to finding a long-term strategy to tackle current and projected congestion on the A40.

As part of this strategy we want to:

• Improve travel times and journey reliability along the A40 corridor, particularly between Witney and Oxford

• Stimulate economic growth, in line with the Oxfordshire Strategic Economic Plan

• Improve safety and reduce environmental impacts such as air pollution and noise along the A40 corridor

What next for the A40? The next boards present a range of options for the long-term future of the A40 corridor, including possibilities for buses, cars, trains and trams. These options have been developed by the council in consultation with local residents, community representatives and businesses.

While they are presented as distinct options, a combination of schemes could be taken forward.

We invite you to share your views on the options presented.

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/connectingoxfordshire WHO USES THE A40?

The diagram below shows a snapshot of car journeys travelling eastbound along the A40 between Cassington and Wolvercote during the morning peak.

ORIGIN OF JOURNEY DESTINATION OF JOURNEY

Bristol, Bath & Avon <1% 3% Bucks

Devon & Cornwall <1% 9% London

Glocs 6% 72% Oxford

Wales 1% A40 <1% Berks

West Oxfordshire 91% 14% South Oxfordshire

Wilts 2% 2% South East

Although the A40 is a strategically Light goods vehicles (14%) important road, most of the Lorries (9%) peak time traffic is locally based. Buses (1%) Although there is a higher than Cycles (<1%) average proportion of light goods Motorcycle (1%) vehicles and lorries, the road is still Cars and vans (75%) dominated by cars and vans.

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/connectingoxfordshire AGREED INVESTMENT IN THE A40 UP TO 2025

E A44 Long Hanborough Gosford TO BIRMINGHAM Yarnton A4095 A34 B4022 L J A40 A40 Cassington Minster Cutteslowe Lovell WITNEY F G H G G K B4477 M TO CHELTENHAM A D Eynsham B I Wolvercote Summertown C TO LONDON A40 N A40 Carterton B4449 A34 Barton Brize Norton Ducklington Q Marston Headington B4044 O P A415 New OXFORD Headington Risinghurst

B4449 A420 Botley

Local Growth Fund Scheme: A40 Science Transit Highlighted points F – I are a new scheme to deliver £36 million of improvements. Cowley This was agreed by Cabinet in July 2015. Work to develop these schemes will take place A34 over the next 12 months. TO NEWBURY

Kennington Littlemore

A Access to Carterton E Hanborough Station H A40 Bus Lane K Northern Gateway Site Link Road N Access to Headington Scheme Q A34 Improvements Improvements to the B4477 and First Great Western has applied New bus priority measures – part and A40/A44 Junctions Junction and road improvements Highways England is planning western facing slips on the A40 at for funding to expand the car park, of Local Growth Fund Scheme New infrastructure to access to reduce congestion and improvements to the Peartree and Minster Lovell – subject to funding provide a bus/rail interchange and development and also provide a improve access to the hospitals in Botley interchanges and improved I Bus Priority at the Swinford improve passenger facilities at more direct link to Peartree Park & Headington driver information on the Trunk Road B Access to Witney – Downs Road Toll Bridge Hanborough Station Ride and A34 by the end of 2019/20. The A34 New junction at Grade roundabout New bus priority scheme on Oxford O Headington Roundabout around Oxford is included in the F A40 Park & Ride bound approaches to Swinford Toll L Oxford Parkway Station New bus priority measures – C Access to Witney – wider Oxford-Cambridge Expressway New A40 Park & Ride (location to Bridge, Eynsham – part of Local New rail station next to Water Eaton completed March 2015 Ducklington Lane study, which could reduce pressures be determined) Growth Fund scheme Park & Ride providing direct rail Junction capacity and safety P Expansion of Thornhill on A40 by providing an alternative links between Oxford and London improvements at junction with A40 Junction Improvements J A40-A44 Strategic Link Road Park & Ride route for some trips Marylebone – opening autumn 2015 Duckington Lane and Station Lane – G Junction improvements to A40 at New road linking A40-A44, Car parking capacity increased by

completed in 2014 Eynsham and Cassington – part of bypassing Wolvercote roundabout M Cutteslowe & Wolvercote 500 spaces, new A40/London Road Local Growth Fund Scheme and providing a link to the A34 and Roundabouts bus priority and cycle improvements D Access to Witney – Shore’s Green Oxford Parkway Station from West Junction improvements to Cutteslowe – completed summer 2013 New western facing slips at Oxfordshire and Wolvercote roundabouts – work Shore’s Green starts summer 2015 A40 BUS LANE

Approximate cost £50 million

This option involves building 3 metre wide bus lanes on the existing verges between Witney Bypass (Shores Green) and the Duke’s Cut canal bridge in both directions. The bus lanes will be separated from the general traffic lanes by a 1 metre buffer. Use of the bus lanes will normally be restricted to buses but could also be used by emergency vehicles, and by other traffic when necessary.

Features

1 Bus lanes start and finish at 3 Possible use of old road Witney Bypass, Shores Green for eastbound bus lane at KIDLINGTON High frequency bus services serving a range of origins and Barnard Gate A34 destinations. 2 Bus Lanes constructed in each verge 4 Bus Gate west of Duke’s Cut Delay free bus journey from Witney to north Oxford. bridge linked to Wolvercote Roundabout signals LONG 11 minute journey time from Shores Green to Wolvercote. HANBOROUGH Easily serve possible Park and Ride to the north of the A40. YARNTON FREELAND May need to be considerable clearance of verge side trees and other vegetation to create space for bus lanes. MINSTER Predominantly uses land within the highway boundary, LOVELL therefore minimal land needs to be acquired. Although A40 4 3 CASSINGTON additional land may be required for tree planting to screen

2 the A40. 1 2 2 Minimal physical impact on Oxford Meadows Special Area of WITNEY EYNSHAM Conservation. A40 Could be extended to junction with proposed A40-A44 Strategic Link Road, but at considerable additional cost. Builds on from the proposed A40 Science Transit bus lane scheme, reducing the cost by £15 million. DUCKLINGTON OXFORD

STANTON HARCOURT BOTLEY

A34 A4095 A415 A420

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/connectingoxfordshire GUIDED BUSWAY

Approximate cost £165 million

This option involves installing a two-way guided busway track to provide a new route from Witney to Oxford using specially adapted buses. The proposed route would use the line of the old railway from Witney to Cassington, except in Eynsham where buses would use the roads through the village. The route would continue with a guided busway alongside A40 to Duke’s Cut canal bridge.

Features

1 Busway starts 4 Busway on line of 6 Busways built in at Ducklington old railway verges Cassington KIDLINGTON High or Medium frequency buses serving a wide range of Roundabout to Duke’s Cut A34 origins and destinations 5 Busway terminates Bridge 2 New alignment at Station Road Time savings of up to 15 minutes for guided bus users at peak from Ducklington and buses travel 7 Busway ends at times from Witney to Oxford. to South Leigh on street through Bus Gate west of LONG village to Swinford Duke’s Cut Bridge HANBOROUGH 12 minute journey time from Ducklington to Wolvercote. 3 Busway diverted Roundabout around South FREELAND YARNTON Use of old railway corridor would require considerable land Leigh to join old acquisition. railway alignment May need to be considerable clearance of verge side trees and MINSTER other vegetation to create space for guided busway on the A40 LOVELL 6 CASSINGTON A40 7 Probably impact on the vegetation, wildlife habitat and land uses along the line of the old railway. Cost does not included widening or replacing the existing WITNEY EYNSHAM 5 4 railway and canal bridges at Duke’s Cut, where buses will merge into the general traffic lane. A40 Should be minimal physical impact on Oxford Meadows Special 1 3 4 Area of Conservation. A guided busway uses new track provided for the exclusive use DUCKLINGTON 2 OXFORD of compatible buses. Buses are specially adapted to use the busway but can also use ordinary roads.

STANTON HARCOURT BOTLEY

A34 A4095 A415 A420

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/connectingoxfordshire A40 DUAL CARRIAGEWAY

Approximate cost £120 million Additional £100 million may be required for ‘North Oxford’ bypass

This option involves widening the A40 to 2-lanes in each direction separated by a central reservation barrier. The A40 Dual Carriageway would follow the existing road and would require significant alterations to junctions at Barnard Gate and Cassington to provide safe access. The Dual Carriageway central reserve would prevent certain movements and restrict direct access in some cases.

Features 1 New dual carriageway starts 5 Existing Cassington traffic at end of Witney Bypass, lights removed, new link road KIDLINGTON Shores Green built with roundabout east Dual Carriageway benefits both freight and passenger vehicles of village A34 (buses, cars, lorries etc.). 2 Existing route widened to 2-lane, dual carriageway road 6 Link road to new junction on Estimated journey times (without delays inc. at North A40-A44 Strategic Link Road Oxford junctions) of 3 minutes from Eynsham to Wolvercote 3 Side road accesses around LONG Barnard Gate brought 7 Additional ‘North Oxford’ roundabout and 7 minutes from Witney to Wolvercote. together in single junction HANBOROUGH bypass may be required - No priority for buses and removal of A40 Science Transit bus route to be determined YARNTON 4 Alternative on-line or bypass FREELAND lane scheme. route options for Eynsham Could easily serve possible Park and Ride to the north of the A40 at MINSTER Eynsham, although no bus lanes would limit the appeal to users. LOVELL 7 A40 6 May need to be considerable clearance of verge side trees and 3 CASSINGTON 5 other vegetation to create space for dual carriageway. 2 1 2 4 2 Possible adverse impact of Oxford Meadows Special Area of Conservation due to potential encroachment on protected land. WITNEY EYNSHAM Considerable land acquisition needed along the length of A40 the route, for both widening and junctions, particularly if the alternative Eynsham bypass is pursued. May require an additional ‘North Oxford’ bypass to provide DUCKLINGTON a high standard through route. Would require an additional OXFORD £100+ million investment. May encourage additional car trips to Oxford which would require extra parking to be provided within the city. STANTON May encourage traffic growth which could reduce benefits of HARCOURT BOTLEY dual carriageway in future years. A34 A4095 A415 A420

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/connectingoxfordshire WITNEY – OXFORD TRAIN

Approximate cost £285 million

This option involves building a new single-track railway line, with double track running through stations providing two platforms and allowing the opportunity for trains to pass each other. Trains are likely to be diesel powered. Trains would run from south of Ducklington roundabout to join the line of the old railway near South Leigh, then pass between Eynsham and B4449 before joining the Cotswold Line at Yarnton, where trains would carry on to Oxford Station.

Features 1 New Station in vicinity of 5 New line built between Ducklington Roundabout village and bypass, including KIDLINGTON new station and bridges over/ Journey time from Witney to Oxford approximately 17 minutes. 2 New line between under eastern bypass and A34 Single track would only allow up to 1-2 trains per hour in each Ducklington and South Leigh Station Road direction, due to limited opportunities to pass each other. 3 Line diverted around South 6 Reinstate Yarnton Junction, Leigh trams carry on to Oxford LONG Stations would require adequate car parking to act as Parkways. Station 4 Use previous alignment HANBOROUGH Would require considerable land acquisition, including through (South Leigh to west of YARNTON Eynsham, east of Eynsham FREELAND Cassington Quarry. –Yarnton Jn) There will be an impact on the vegetation, wildlife habitat and landuses along the route. MINSTER 6 LOVELL Trains could be extended run from Oxford Station to Littlemore CASSINGTON 4 A40 and Cowley using Cowley Branch Line for passenger services. Provides bus connections at Oxford Station to wider range of local destinations, and access to national rail network. WITNEY EYNSHAM 4 Bridges needed to avoid building level crossings on Station A40 Road, Eynsham and B4449 Eynsham bypass road; line would 5 need to be diverted to avoid impacts in South Leigh. 1 2 4 The railway lines through Oxford may not have sufficient spare 3 capacity to allow more frequent services to run. DUCKLINGTON OXFORD Proposal needs to be economically viable for Network Rail and a Train Operating Company. Possibility that an alternate route (shown in red) could run STANTON north of A40, from near Oxford Hill at Witney to Yarnton. HARCOURT BOTLEY This would cost a similar amount and may be less disruptive to build; but it would however preclude any future extension A34 A4095 A415 A420 to Carterton.

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/connectingoxfordshire WITNEY - OXFORD TRAM

Approximate cost £240 million

New double track, light rail line linking from south of Ducklington roundabout to the old railway line at South Leigh then using the railway alignment to Eynsham, where a new line would be created between the village and the southern bypass. From close to Siemens the line would follow the old railway line to A40. At the A40 the line would either continue to a railway junction at Yarnton, if a joint tram-train operation was permitted, or continue alongside the A40 toward Oxford.

Features 1 New station in vicinity 4 Use old railway line 7 Reinstate Yarnton of Ducklington alignment (South Leigh junction if shared use KIDLINGTON roundabout to west of Eynsham, permitted Journey times from Witney to Oxford 20-25 minutes. east of Eynsham –A40) A34 Double track allows 4 trams per hour in each direction but the 2 New line between 8 Need to consider Ducklington and 5 New line built between on-street running in railway lines through Oxford may not have sufficient spare South Leigh village and bypass Witney, Eynsham and capacity to allow such frequent services to run. north Oxford 6 Use old railway (A40 LONG 3 Divert line around Tram stops would require adequate car parking to act as South Leigh – Yarnton junction) if HANBOROUGH shared use permitted, YARNTON Parkways. otherwise construct FREELAND tracks alongside A40 Would require considerable land acquisition, including through including new bridges Cassington Quarry. 7 over railway and canals MINSTER There will be an impact on the vegetation, wildlife habitats and LOVELL CASSINGTON 6 A40 land uses along the route. The railway authorities may not permit joint tram-train 8 operation, as this would be the first in the UK. 8 WITNEY An alternative route would be along the A40, but this would EYNSHAM 5 4 require either a terminus to be provided in north Oxford, or on- A40 street running to Oxford City Centre at considerable extra costs 3 1 4 (£100m+). Provides connections to local bus services at Oxford Station 2 DUCKLINGTON and access to national rail network. OXFORD Proposal needs to be economically viable for operating company.

STANTON HARCOURT BOTLEY

A34 A4095 A415 A420

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/connectingoxfordshire NEXT STEPS

Thank you for coming to the exhibition. Have your say Please give us your views. Either: • Fill in a copy of the consultation feedback form that is available at this exhibition and post it in the box provided • Read a copy of the proposals online and fill in the survey form at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/A40 The deadline for giving your views is Sunday 8 November. What happens next? The feedback from this consultation will inform a discussion by Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet in spring 2016 on the long-term strategy for the A40. This will put the council in a strong position so that we can move quickly with a bid for government funding when opportunities arise. In the meantime, we will be developing our ideas for the Local Growth Fund Scheme – A40 Science Transit and we expect to be able to share these proposals in autumn 2016.