Eynsham £37m park-and-ride approved

Supporters of the new park-and-ride say it will help tackle congestion on the A40

A £37m park-and-ride has been given planning approval in Oxfordshire.

The 850-space 7.7 hectare [19-acre] facility could be built north of the A40, near Eynsham.

Supporters say it will help tackle congestion on the A40, though Nick Relph from Eynsham Parish Council called it a "short term sticking plaster".

Oxfordshire County Council's planning and regulation committee gave the go-ahead to the scheme on Monday.

The plans include a new roundabout providing access to the facility from the A40, along with bus lanes on the A40.

The park-and-ride will operate 24 hours a day, with eight to 14 bus services per hour in 2021, and 11 to 18 services by 2031.

The plans suggest an opening date of 2024.

The plans include a new roundabout providing access to the facility from the A40

Liam Walker, Hanborough and Minster Lovell county councillor, said it was important to take action to tackle congestion.

He said: "There's been no improvement to the A40 since I've walked this planet, so I grab what's before me today with open arms."

He added: "Seeing what's happening in the city now with emission zones, how people are changing towards public transport and climate change, I think this is a great opportunity for the council to secure this funding and get on with getting a shovel in the ground."

But Mr Relph described it as a "poorly designed short-term budget-driven project that appears to ignore all the surrounding impact and challenges".

The government may still decide to take over the application and make a decision centrally, and must approve the funding needed for the scheme.