Vale Leader’s statement on the Expressway project cancellation

The Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council has welcomed the announcement that the government’s proposed Oxford to Cambridge Expressway has been scrapped, calling it a success for local campaigners.

Cllr Emily Smith, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council said: “This is welcome news, and I would like to congratulate and thank the many groups and individuals across the county who have worked alongside us to campaign against the project since it was first announced.  This is a real demonstration that local pressure can pay off if everyone is pulling in the same direction. 

“The work going on to develop the economy in the area offers real opportunities to bring forward efficient, modern and innovative public transport systems, instead the government proposed a huge carriageway to carve through the countryside, which would have had a massive impact on CO2 emissions and destroyed vast areas of rural land. 

“While we welcome this news, we note with caution that the government has indicated that it will look at localised road projects instead – we will work with our partners to ensure any proposals are to the benefit of our residents, and that alternative more sustainable transport improvements are also given significant consideration.  We will also seek specific reassurance that any future projects aren’t just a way of bringing forward the expressway under another name.”