A40 park and ride vision takes step forward

Plans for the A40 park and ride facility in Eynsham, which have been put forward as part of a wider investment in the corridor to improve travel times and stimulate economic growth in Oxfordshire, have taken a step forward with the submission of a request for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) scoping report.Oxfordshire County Council has earmarked land between the villages of Eynsham and Cassington, to the west of the junction with Cuckoo Lane, for development.The park and ride would have space for 1,000 cars. The scheme would also include a 6.5km bus lane on the eastbound carriageway of the A40.The EIA request was prepared by AECOM infrastructure & Environment UK. Its submission follows a consultation on the scheme by Oxfordshire County Council, which opened in November 2018 and closed on 6 January 2019.The consultation included two phases, the first being the park and ride – known as the A40 Science Transit – which is expected to be in use by April 2021.The second phase is made up of the wider A40 strategy and would include investment in the corridor until 2031.The council hopes work on the A40 will stimulate economic growth by reducing travel times and improving journey reliability. It also hopes to reduce pollution and other carbon emissions associated with travel.The Oxfordshire Growth Board has forecast the need for 85,000 new jobs and 100,000 new homes across the county by 2031. The West Oxfordshire Local Plan aims to deliver 16,000 of these homes, with the A40 corridor earmarked for 10,000 at Carterton, Witney and Eynsham Parish.