Action to tackle fears over theme park traffic chaos

A new group has been created to help prevent an area from "descending into traffic gridlock" amid plans for a major theme park and other developments.

The forum, approved by Oxfordshire County Council, will bring together representatives from Heyford Park and surrounding villages to discuss the impact of major schemes planned in the area.

It was formed over concerns about the impact of developments around Junction 10 of the M40, including the proposed Puy du Fou theme park and a rail freight interchange.

Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for transport, said the forum would help local communities hold councils, developers and other organisations to account.

"It's to stop the area descending into gridlock," he said.

"Local residents and parishes see individual developments going into the planning process, and want to see the big picture addressed in terms of: how do we get about, and how do we mitigate the impact and preserve the character of our villages?"

Epps, who campaigned for the new group, said local residents fear the area could face significant congestion if infrastructure improvements are not planned in a joined-up way.

The forum follows a meeting involving 14 parish councils and aims to bring together councils, developers and transport bodies to discuss potential impacts.

Among the developments proposed for the area is the Puy du Fou theme park, which would include four period villages and 13 live shows in which visitors can "immerse themselves in British history".

Developers estimate the attraction could welcome up to 1.4 million visitors a year once fully open.

A strategic rail freight interchange and thousands of new homes have also been proposed in the wider area.

The interchange is estimated to have around 600,000 lorries accessing the site each year.

Developers behind some of the schemes have previously outlined measures intended to reduce pressure on local roads.

Puy du Fou has said it aims for half of its daytime visitors to arrive by public transport and has proposed improvements to nearby rail stations, shuttle buses and enhanced bus services as part of its plans.

Plans for the Oxfordshire Strategic Rail Freight Interchange include improvements to Junction 10 of the M40, a bypass for Ardley and a relief road for Middleton Stoney.