The Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) has announced the start of a Government-funded major transport project to improve connectivity in the north of the city which, in-turn, is set to complement the Oxford North development.
The A40 Improvement Scheme Phase One will upgrade and transform the A40 between the A34 overbridge and the Wolvercote roundabout.
The scheme will see the area change from a traffic-dominated road into a transitional corridor, creating a new tree-lined street and promoting and supporting further enhanced sustainable travel modes with a new eastbound bus lane, new bus stops incorporating modern bus shelters and real-time information, dedicated cycle lanes, widened footpaths and safer crossing points.
This is the first phase of the wider A40 improvement works to the west of Oxford.
The Oxford North development will provide a new place for the city with office and laboratory space for science and technology companies, new homes, small shops and three new parks.
OxLEP secured £8.4million of funding for the project via the government’s Local Growth Fund.
As the local enterprise partnership for Oxfordshire, OxLEP is committed to improving the infrastructure and connectivity in the county. The A40 scheme will address the critical issues that are hindering growth and release pressure on existing infrastructure that is causing congestion, pollution and extensive commuting times.
The Oxford North development will provide 480 new homes for the city of which 35%, the equivalent of 168, will be affordable housing. It will also be a sustainable community with biodiversity initiatives to improve people’s lives, air quality and the environment. This, alongside better connectivity, will improve Oxfordshire’s place as a desirable location to live, work, play and learn, helping to attract top talent and contribute to Oxford’s knowledge and high value economy acceleration delivering a boost of circa £150 million in GVA per annum into the economy.
While this transport scheme is an original Local Growth Fund project, it will form a key part of Oxfordshire’s economic recovery and response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By 2021, it’s expected that central Government will have invested over £12billion into the UK economy via the Local Growth Fund. The Local Growth Fund investment aims to allow LEPs to use their local knowledge to promote growth in their individual regions.
Analysis has shown that for every £1 of Local Growth Fund invested, £4.81 in benefits could be generated.
OxLEP is one of 38 Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) in England playing a key role in driving forward economic growth. Since its inception in 2011, OxLEP – with its partners – has secured over £660m-worth of government funding for Oxfordshire, which has seen more than 48,000 new jobs created in the county to-date.
In total, OxLEP currently oversees a £2.2bn growth programme for the county.
Nigel Tipple, OxLEP Chief Executive, said: “The start of works for such a significant project – that will have a positive impact on connectivity in and around Oxford – is excellent news.
“As the local enterprise partnership for Oxfordshire, we want to ensure our county benefits from an infrastructure that is fit-for-purpose, supporting dynamic economic growth.
“We are delighted to have secured such a major Local Growth Fund allocation for this project and we are sure it can be real asset to Oxfordshire, as we continue to support our economy, following the COVID-19 pandemic, for the benefit of both the county and ‘UK PLC’”
Cllr Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Oxfordshire County Council is supporting this work with a significant series of upgrades to the A40 to make cycling, walking and bus travel safe and attractive to residents as part of our overall commitment to the decarbonisation of the county.
“The Oxford North development is also a welcome way forward for the city; the design has sustainability included throughout to make it both an attractive place to work and live whilst having a very low environmental impact which the county backs.
“The inclusion of electric vehicle charging networks within the plans will also help to make this a sustainable development whilst helping us meet our target to become a net-zero carbon county.”
Luke Hall MP, Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, said: “We want to level up towns and cities across the country to ensure they have the opportunities and resources they need to grow and thrive.
“That is why we have invested £8.4million, via the Local Growth Fund, in improving the infrastructure and connectivity in Oxfordshire.
“This investment will bring affordable housing, effective transport links and a higher quality of life to the community.”
William Donger, Director at Thomas White Oxford, added: “We thank OxLEP for securing the national government funding for the A40 improvement works. Such funding shows that Oxford North is a project of importance to the City, County and national economy and to deliver the project requires substantial investment in local infrastructure.
“The funding, alongside TWO’s circa £30 million infrastructure investment, gives reassurance to those people living locally and road users that the local infrastructure improvements have financial backing so Oxford North can deliver new jobs for science and tech companies, much-needed new and affordable homes and improvements to promote sustainable transport mode choices.
“We are working collaboratively with the County Council to complete these works by January 2022.”
