A40 Eynsham park and ride to Wolvercote scheme
About the project
Elements of the scheme
The full scheme, which measures 7.3km / 4.5miles in length, includes the following:
- Full bus priority eastbound along the A40 between the new Eynsham park and ride and Wolvercote
- Bus priority westbound along the A40 between Cassington and the new Eynsham park and ride
- A high-quality active travel route along the A40 between the new Eynsham park and ride and Wolvercote, featuring the following upgrades:
- South side new 3m wide shared path continuous from Eynsham park and ride through to Wolvercote (longer term, walking and cycling trips will be concentrated on the south side of the A40 moving east of Eynsham)
- The north side has a new and widened shared path between the Eynsham park and ride site, the A40 - Lower Road junction, and through Cassington.
- New and upgraded signal-controlled crossings of the A40 for pedestrians and active travel users
- A new junction onto the A40 from the park and ride, located to the west of Eynsham
- Major junction improvements and capacity enhancement at Cassington and at the A40 Lower Road roundabout
- New bus stops and bus shelters throughout
- New planting and landscaping
- Improved drainage and flood risk management measures.
- Road safety improvements, new road signage, and new lighting through built-up areas
While the scheme's planning approval covers the full scope, its delivery will be carried out in phases.
Phase 1 of the A40 Eynsham park and ride to Wolvercote project is planned to be delivered with the available £126 million government funding.
Phase 1 will deliver a new junction connecting the Eynsham park and ride site to the A40, new bus lanes, upgraded junctions, improved walking and cycling routes, and new crossing facilities along the corridor.
This infrastructure will improve the journeys of current and future residents, as well as visitors to Oxford, by opening up new travel options and making journeys quicker and safer.
The latest scheme designs result from an extensive review of the A40 improvements programme, which had to be done due to continued high inflation and increases to construction costs since 2020.
Despite the challenges, the council has worked with government funding partners to secure the required funding through adapting the programme design and phasing its delivery.
The scheme complements other projects along the A40 corridor between Witney and Oxford, including Eynsham park and ride (built), Oxford North corridor improvements (built) and the Shores Green interchange slip roads (Access to Witney scheme)
An artist’s impression of the project when completed.
Where we are now
The project was granted planning consent on 30 June 2026 following submission of the planning application in June 2025. We are now working on discharging planning conditions. We are currently carrying out vegetation clearance and ecological mitigation works. Utility companies are also undertaking diversion works, which are scheduled to continue until March 2027.
Vegetation clearance, ecological monitoring, signage removal, and other pre-construction activities, including trial holes, surveys, and site clearance, will continue through to later this year. Some of these works are planned to take place at night. We are also progressing work to discharge the planning conditions.
The first phase will be delivered using the available funding from the government. It includes the following:
A. between Eynsham park and ride and Cassington (approx. 3.5 km):
- A new A40 junction at the park and ride site
- Continuous eastbound and westbound bus lanes
- Upgrades to active travel (walking and cycling) pathways on the north and south sides
- Five new A40 controlled crossings
- Two upgraded A40 controlled crossings at Witney Rd and Cassington Junction
- Improvements to uncontrolled crossings
- Capacity enhancements at Lower Road roundabout
- Major capacity enhancement of the two signalised junctions at Cassington.
B. Over Duke's Cut bridges (approx. 800m):
- An eastbound bus lane over Duke's Cut bridges connecting to the eastbound bus lane at Oxford North
- An upgraded and widened active travel pathway on the south side connecting with Oxford North.
The first phase of work has been designed to safeguard the future delivery of the remaining elements of the full scheme. When further funding becomes available, the county council can deliver the remaining phases without delay.
Why we are investing here
This project will improve transport connections, promote sustainable travel options, and reduce emissions.
It will also support the requirements of major local housing developments in West Oxfordshire.
Once delivered, the project will help increase the road's total passenger capacity along the corridor by expanding bus and active travel infrastructure and increasing travel mode choice.
- New park and ride access junction: This will bring the park and ride site/mobility hub into operation.
The junction will provide improved crossing facilities for people walking and cycling across and along the A40. - A40 bus lanes: This infrastructure will unlock more frequent, fast, and reliable bus services to/from Eynsham for travel to Oxford
- New and improved A40 bus stops: Bus stops along the A40 in the project area will be improved, and new ones will also be established to serve Eynsham. Along with the park and ride, these bus stops will provide convenient access to frequent bus services for residents and visitors
| Activity | Target Date |
|---|---|
| Revised proposals approved by OCC cabinet | July 2023 - complete |
| Funding confirmation for revised proposals | October 2024 - complete |
| Public engagement | January 2025 - complete |
| Planning application submission | June 2025 - complete |
| Planning approval | June 2026 |
| Enabling works begin on site | Autumn 2026 |
| Site compound setup and mobilisation works start | Late 2026 (anticipated) |
| Construction start | Early 2027 (anticipated) |
| Construction completion | Summer 2029 (anticipated) |
How it is being funded
The first phase of the scheme is valued at £126m.
The scheme is funded from central government sources: Homes England's Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), Local Growth Fund, and Housing and Growth Deal, as well as from Department of Transport (DfT) funding..
How to get in touch
Residents and stakeholders can subscribe to the project newsletter using the link below to receive regular updates on project progress:
We will update this page regularly with our progress. If you have any questions about this project, contact the delivery team by emailing A40corridor@oxfordshire.gov.uk. You can also contact our Highways Enquiries team by calling 0345 310 1111 if you have a concern about something you have seen in the area.