The Government today announced the defined corridor for the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway – as part of wider efforts to meet the long term economic potential of the area identified by the National Infrastructure Commission.

Roads Minister Jesse Norman confirmed Corridor B as the preferred choice.

It follows publication of the National Infrastructure Commission’s report into maximising the potential of the Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford corridor, which highlighted how aligning improvements to road and rail links across the Arc could unlock much-needed homes and secure the area’s economic success.

The report, published in December, identified a need for up to one million new homes by 2050. It said this could mean the area contributes as much as £250 billion a year to the national economy over that time period.

The Expressway will improve journey times between Oxford and the M1, help unlock the growth of new communities and boost economic growth in one of the UK’s most important economic regions.

Responding to today’s announcement, a National Infrastructure Commission spokesman said:

“We are pleased to see progress in defining the corridor for this vital link between Oxford and Cambridge – reflecting the findings of our report.

“This, if aligned with improved rail links, could help unlock much-needed homes across the area, helping to secure its economic future for decades to come.”

An expressway, along with improved East-West rail connections between the cities, was one of the key recommendations in the Commission’s report on the Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford Growth Arc, which can be found here.