Sir – Oxfordshire County Council’s exhibition has opened the debate on what should be done to tackle the current and projected congestion on the A40.

A new single-track railway line would be welcome but at an approximate cost of £285m is an expensive option.

Serious consideration should be given to the alternative route north of the A40. This is not only shorter but is less disruptive.

The line could continue to Carterton crossing the A40, where the road is in a cutting just west of the Shores Green junction.

However, it is doubtful whether Network Rail and a train operator would consider this extension economically viable since a Parkway close to Shores Green Junction, soon to be upgraded to a four-way interchange, would be easily accessible by road from Carterton.

At an approximate cost of £120m an A40 dual carriageway is an attractive option but would be unhelpful in achieving modal shift and would increase congestion in North Oxford.

These disadvantages could be mitigated by constructing a dual carriageway from the end of the Witney bypass to Eynsham where a new park and ride facility is proposed. Between Eynsham and Oxford a bus priority lane would be needed, which could be shared with emergency vehicles and other traffic when necessary.

Should the problem of congestion in North Oxford be resolved the bus lane could be removed to allow the dual carriageway to function normally. If necessary a new bus lane or guided busway could be provided along the route or perhaps within a shared corridor with Network Rail. As no estimate has been provided for the route it would be helpful if OCC could provide an approximate estimate for a single-track railway line.

* Phase 1: from the Cotswold Line to Eynsham P&R
* Phase 2: from Eynsham P&R to a Parkway near Shores Green.

John Aldous 
Hailey