Oxfordshire Railfreight

The proposed development comprises a new rail freight facility on the Chiltern Main Line near Ardley, Oxfordshire. The facility would involve a new rail terminal and its associated infrastructure, which would include warehousing for logistics (up to 6.5m sq ft), management building, rail reception sidings, container storage area and associated container transfer equipment, and refuelling facility. The proposed development would also include the following highway works:

• a new access road to serve the rail freight site;
• junction improvements at Junction 10 of the M40;
• a bypass around the village of Ardley;
• a relief road serving the village of Middleton Stoney;
• a link road between Middleton Stoney and Heyford Park; and
• a secondary access road for the proposed development to the south of the application site for public transport, pedestrian and cycle access.

The site extends to c. 600 acres and is strategically located along the M40 corridor mid-way between London and Birmingham. The proposals are landscape-led to ensure the development assimilates into its surroundings.

The DCO is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in 2023.