The Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Highway Construction and Repair meeting, held on Monday 1 June 2026, saw the approval of a significant construction contract for the A40 Eynsham to Wolvercote scheme. The meeting also saw the deferral of a decision regarding traffic restrictions on Green Road and a byway in Letcombe Regis.

Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF2) – A40 Eynsham to Wolvercote Construction Contract

The Cabinet Member for Highway Construction and Repair, Councillor Liz Leffman, approved the award of a construction contract for the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF2) – A40 Eynsham to Wolvercote scheme. This key decision, with an estimated total value of £70 million, delegates authority to the Director of Environment and Highways to finalise the scope, target cost, and programme for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the project. The contract will be awarded to Balfour Beatty Group Limited under the Scape Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Framework.

The HIF2 scheme aims to reduce congestion and promote alternative transport modes along the A40 corridor. Key benefits include the creation of a new junction to enable the Eynsham Park and Ride to become operational, the development of shared service footways, and the implementation of bus lanes eastbound between Eynsham Park and Ride and Cassington junction, and eastbound from Duke's Cut Bridge to tie into the existing Oxford North Junction bus lane, as well as a westbound bus lane between Cassington Junction and Eynsham Park and Ride. The project also includes new signalised crossings for improved non-motorised safety and is intended to unlock housing development sites, facilitating the construction of over 4,000 homes and significant employment growth.

The report highlighted the urgency of commencing enabling works in mid-June 2026 to avoid project cost overruns and ensure the utilisation of Homes England grant funding before its deadline. Delays had been experienced due to a Regulation 25 notice issued in April, impacting the governance approval process. The NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract, with its Option X22, allows for the Council to terminate the contract after Stage 1 or proceed to Stage 2 for the main construction works. The decision was made to delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Highways to award the contract and, subject to further finalisation, issue a Notice to Proceed for the main construction works. This decision is considered a key decision as defined in the Council's Constitution and is necessary to keep the programme on track and meet funding deadlines. The procurement route via the Scape Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Framework is deemed lawful and compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and the Procurement Act 2023.

Green Road and Bisecting Byway, Letcombe Regis Seasonal and Width Restriction TRO

Consideration of the traffic regulation order (TRO) for seasonal and width restrictions on Green Road and a bisecting byway in Letcombe Regis was deferred. This decision was made to allow for a thorough review of further detailed representations and additional material received since the publication of the reports. Officers advised that deferring the decision would ensure all relevant matters are properly assessed with the most complete information available. The Chair emphasised the importance of a thorough, transparent, and robust decision-making process for these significant proposals. The matter will be brought back for determination at the next appropriate meeting.