M40 junction changes unveiled

Changes have been unveiled that the Highways Agency hope will cut queues at junction 9 of the M40 near Bicester.

The motorway's southbound exit slip road at junction 9's going to be widened, along with the start of the southbound A34 heading towards Oxford.  Three lanes of traffic will also be able to travel all the way round the Wendlebury roundabout.

These changes should allow three lanes of traffic to get off and onto the southbound A34 towards Oxford or the northbound A41 towards Bicester and the Bicester Village shopping outlet.

At the moment, with two lanes on the exit slip, traffic regularly tails back onto the main M40.

This first phase of work is due to begin in July 2010 and should be completed by the end of December, and cost £4m.  A second phase - which has yet to be given funding - will see improvements to the northbound A34 approach to the Wendlebury roundabout.

Highways Agency project manager Surrinder Bhangu said: "Junction 9 of the M40 is a busy section of road, and often suffers from congestion at peak times.

"The majority of drivers using the interchange are travelling from the southbound M40 to the southbound A34. The work we are doing aims to increase capacity on this busiest section to prevent queues building and keep the junction roundabout clear for everyone."

A series of exhibitions are being put on to allow local people to find out details of the project.  They are taking place at:

- Wednesday 9 June - 3pm to 8pm - Weston-on-the-Green Village Hall
- Saturday 12 June - 9.30am to 2pm - Wyevale Garden Centre, Bicester

M40 J9