TWO Oxfordshire MPs have met transport minister Jesse Norman to discuss the Oxford Cambridge Expressway and other key roads.

Ed Vaizey and John Howell met Dr Norman to discuss developments about the potential expressway, the A34 and A420.

Both Oxfordshire MPs said there should be work to upgrade roads across southern Oxfordshire, especially the A34 and A420.

Mr Vaizey, the MP for Wantage and Didcot, said he was in favour of upgrades to the A420 that would mean the road could link Swindon to Cambridge as part of the new expressway.

He said: “The South Oxfordshire area is one of the most productive economic areas outside of London.

“The A420 connects the major economic centres of Swindon and Oxford and is currently dangerous and congested, particularly at rush hour.”

Mr Howell, who represents the Henley constituency, said he wanted the new road to make use of the current A34 rather than cutting through his own constituency, some of which lies just south of Oxford.

He said: “I have long argued that the Oxford-Milton Keynes-Cambridge expressway should follow and make use of existing roads such as the A34.

“There are serious safety concerns which can be tackled at the same time by doing this. This suggests a route to the west of Oxford rather than through Wheatley.”