HOPES have been raised that motorists will see an end to congestion at Junction 9 of the M40 following the announcement of a £6billion motorway improvement scheme.
In a statement, the Department for Transport said this week that they will once again consider improvements to the junction linking Bicester with Oxford as part of the scheme.
Motorists often face delays at the busy junction. But last year the Hig
hways Agency shelved plans to improve the junction as they prioritised improvements elsewhere in the country.
This week, however, a spokesperson for the Department for Transport said the Junction 9 scheme was being considered for implementation before 2014.
Bicester MP, Tony Baldry, said he was delighted and believed improved traffic links could attract new business to the town. He added: "Improvement to Junction 9 will unlock the potential and the possibility of creating a new business park in Bicester, which will enable the town to generate more local business and jobs and maximise the town's geographical potential for business."
Bicester town councillor James Porter said the announcement was a step in the right direction but said he was concerned that no timetable had yet been set.
Paul Beecroft, director of Weston-on-the-Green plant hire firm David Beecroft Ltd, said: "It's great news, if they get it right."
He believes bridges will need to be totally replaced at the junction to ensure the necessary improvements to traffic flow are made.
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