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ITEM EX14 - ANNEX 4

EXECUTIVE – 15 OCTOBER 2002

CARTERTON, WITNEY AND OXFORD – TRANSPORT LINKS

Assessment of A40 to A44 alignment options

The consultants have identified 4 potential alignments for the highway link (see Annex 3) and undertaken a preliminary assessment of each. Their findings have been set out in a report which has been placed on deposit in the Members’ Resource Centre.

As travel demands increase, queuing and congestion will increase leading to a rise in accidents, deterioration in environmental conditions and a transfer of problems to alternative routes.

The alignment for a link just to the west of the A34 overbridge, has the advantage of requiring fewer structures than Options 3 and 4 (see below). The major problem with the alignment is that the angle of deflection required (horizontal curvature) to take a road off the A40 and curve up towards Loop Farm Roundabout, would be too severe to meet highway standards. This means that the link would be ruled out on highway safety grounds.

There are a series of engineering and environmental problems associated with the two most westerly alignments. Most notably, these alignments would need a series of expensive structures to cross railway lines, the Oxford canal and other surface water features. In addition, the link would need to be built on an embankment to avoid the impact of frequent flooding in the area and there would also be impact on property in the vicinity of Loop Farm Roundabout.

Option 5 is closer to the Wolvercote Roundabout and benefits from not requiring expensive structures or having such severe environmental impacts. The alignment would leave the A40 just to the east of the A34 overbridge and join the A44 opposite the access to Pear tree park and ride. It would have the advantage of being sufficiently remote from Wolvercote Roundabout to ease traffic congestion at that point. It also provides the opportunity for a reverse traffic movement from A44 to A40 which would add to the relief of traffic pressures at Wolvercote. Equally important, it would allow for a direct link from the A40 to Pear Tree park and ride for both cars and buses and in the longer term be integrated with the proposed GTE guided bus link from the park and ride in to central Oxford. It is for these reasons that the consultants have concluded the Option 5 would provide the most effective alignment.

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