A40 Access to Witney
This scheme will construct new west-facing slip roads at the A40/B4022 Shores Green junction to improve access to Witney.
Traffic restrictions during construction
From 27 May to 31 May 2025, the A40 within the scheme extents will be closed every night from 8pm to 6am the following day. This closure is necessary to facilitate the removal of overhead power lines as part of the works for the Access to Witney project.
From 10 February 2025 until the end of construction, the speed limit on the A40 within the scheme extents will be temporarily reduced to 50mph speed limit, and the B4022 within the Scheme extents will also be temporarily reduced to 30mph speed limit.
Lane 1 of the A40 within this project area will be closed in both directions from February 2025 until the end of construction. Other lanes will remain open to traffic.
Disruption is inevitable with any major construction project that modifies an existing highway. We are doing all we can to mitigate disruption to the greatest extent possible through phased implementation and speed limit reductions for the safety of our road network users and our workforce.
About the project
The A40 - Access to Witney scheme is delivering new west-facing slip roads at the A40/B4022 Shores Green junction to improve access to Witney. This project forms part of the wider Witney Area Strategy, started in 2014, to improve access between Witney and the A40.
The improvements will enable more local and through traffic to the A40 without needing to travel through Witney town centre or use the A40/Ducklington Lane junction. The scheme will provide new walking and cycling paths and crossings on the B4022 and alongside the A40 that will provide improved and safer connections in the area.
Your questions answered
View your questions about Access to Witney answered for more details.
Why we are investing here
The proposals to address traffic and transport issues on the section of the A40 between Witney and Oxford will result in:
- better transport connections and access
- reduced emissions of harmful pollutants
- more sustainable travel options
- new jobs and housing
The improvements at the Shores Green junction will give residents more choices, particularly those wanting to access the A40. Crucially, it will enable more local and through traffic to access the A40 without needing to travel through Witney town centre or use the A40/Ducklington Lane junction.
The improvements will help alleviate existing congestion and air quality problems in Witney town centre, particularly at A4095 Bridge Street.
The scheme will provide new walking and cycling paths and crossings on the B4022 and alongside the A40 that will provide improved and safer connections between South Leigh, High Cogges and Witney and to the shared path along the A40 to Oxford.
In addition, the scheme will support the delivery of new homes proposed in the West Oxfordshire Local Plan.
| Activity | Target date |
|---|---|
| Public engagement | May 2021 - complete |
| Preferred option presented to Cabinet | July 2021 - complete |
| Planning application submission | Early 2022 - complete |
| Planning approval | Mid-2023 - complete |
| Detailed design commences | Early 2024 |
| Compulsory purchases and side roads orders made |
Sept 2024 - complete |
| Enabling works begin on site | February 2025 |
| Construction begins on site | Spring 2025 |
| Construction works completed | Mid 2026 |
Current activity
Enabling work for the Access to Witney (Shores Green) project is currently ongoing in preparation for full construction work. This is scheduled to start later in spring 2025. The project remains on course to be completed in 2026.
How it is funded
The A40 Access to Witney improvement scheme is funded by Housing and Growth Deal (HGD) funds and Section 106 developer contributions.
The estimated cost of the scheme £25 million.
CPO and SRO for the Access to Witney scheme
On 30 September 2024, the Secretary of State for Transport issued her decision to confirm the CPO and the SRO for the Access to Witney scheme. The confirmed orders, together with the Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of State’s Decision Letter, can be found through the link below.
More information
This webpage will provide further information as the project progresses. A frequently asked questions page is provided and updated regularly. You can also follow us on Facebook and Nextdoor to receive regular updates on the project.
You can sign up to get an update on the project directly to your email by emailing us (with the subject “Access to Witney newsletter”) to A40witneyaccess@oxfordshire.gov.uk.
If you would like to reach out to the project team for any other reason, send an email to A40witneyaccess@oxfordshire.gov.uk