M40 Rail-Freight Interchange Proposal

The Oxfordshire Strategic Rail-Freight Interchange (SRFI) is proposed for Junction 10 of the M40, to the West side of the motorway between Ardley to the north, Middleton Stoney to the south and Upper Heyford to the west.

The size and scope of the proposal means that it is being considered as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.

The Scoping Report for the Environmental Impact Assessment has been filed with the Planning Inspectorate and is available here.

‘In general terms, the proposed development comprises a rail freight terminal and rail served warehousing located to the south of and adjacent to the Chiltern rail line.’  ‘The maximum warehouse development footprint applied for will be 675,000 sq.m. (approx. 7.26 million square feet) with an allowance also made for the provision of additional mezzanine floorspace (up to one third of the total floorspace – approximately 225,000 sq.m.).’

To support this, a number of road improvements are being considered including:

–  an improved and reconfigured Junction 10 of the M40 motorway

– a bypass to the east of Ardley linking J10 and the Main Site and providing the Principal Access to the Main Site

– a relief road to the north east of Middleton Stoney between the B430 and B4030

– a Secondary Access to the Main Site from a new Heyford Park Link between the B430 and Heyford Park.

The image below (p209 of the Scoping Report) gives some idea of the scale.

It’s CPRE Oxfordshire’s understanding that those wishing to comment can do so at the Pre-Examination stage.  As with a Local Plan process, only those that comment at this point can then go on to take part in the examination as appropriate. Watch this space for updates.