Residents may be aware of the ongoing work and temporary closures of the slip roads connecting the B4022 to the A40 at Witney.
New slip roads are being built to improve access to Witney, reduce congestion in the town centre and provide new footpaths and crossings.
This work – the Access to Witney project – commenced in May 2025 and will run until summer 2026, with various closures scheduled throughout the year (see the details and dates here).
Oxfordshire County Council has released an update on the project, which is currently running to schedule.
The activities completed already include:
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Vegetation clearance to allow for the safe construction of both slip roads
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Majority of earthworks excavation, creating the foundations for the next stage of civil works
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Utilities diversion works
The work has required a certain amount of disruption to the local environment but there are plans in place to restore the vegetation and plant new shrubs, trees and hedges, creating wildlife-friendly habitats and ecological corridors.
The Access to Witney project is also required to provide social value and to that end has recently carried out work to improve an outdoor area for the students at Tower Hill Primary School in Witney.
The next closure of the slip-roads will be overnight on 1 September, from 8pm until 6am. Residents who would like to receive updates on this project can email A40witneyaccess@oxfordshire.gov.uk with a subject of ‘Access to Witney newsletter’.
More information on the project is also available on this webpage: A40 Access to Witney | Oxfordshire County Council