Eynsham, Oxon – A newly constructed £51 million park and ride site, boasting an 850-space capacity, remains idle as Oxfordshire County Council struggles to secure funding for the necessary access road to connect it to the A40. Despite the completion of all major construction work in January and landscaping efforts finalized last month, the 19-acre facility will not be operational until funding is obtained, potentially delaying access until 2027.

The council is currently incurring ongoing maintenance costs for the empty site, which includes weekly tasks such as grass cutting and topsoiling, despite the absence of any vehicles. This situation has emerged following the partial cancellation of the A40 improvements programme, which has faced significant cost pressures.

The planning application for the park and ride was submitted in April 2021, with funding from the Department of Transport (DfT) approved in December of the same year. While the county council had also secured funding for the access road and a proposed roundabout as part of the A40 improvements, the current financial constraints have left the facility underutilized.

Local officials and residents are calling for urgent solutions to enable the park and ride to serve its intended purpose, alleviating congestion and providing a much-needed transport option for the community.