THERE is still no set date for a public consultation over where the potential Oxford-Cambridge Expressway could go.

Residents in West Oxford and South Oxfordshire worry that the expressway could plough through their areas – but the government has given no clear or precise indication in public of where that could be.

Highways England, which previously said its consultation on the route would start this autumn, has now said it is still working on the highly anticipated plans.

The new road’s cost is expected to spiral into the billions of pounds.

Many councillors are opposed, both in Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran is a vocal critic of one possible plan that would see the A34 widened at Botley to form part of the expressway, and which could involve the demolition of homes in that area.

Read more: More than 400 stakeholders currently involved in Oxford- Cambridge expressway work

Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth has said an expressway could help to ease pressure on the A34.

The Expressway Action Group’s (EAG) membership includes 43 Oxfordshire parish councils.

In a statement, it said: “A new expressway across Oxfordshire would be a catastrophe for our environment, wildlife and communities. The money earmarked for the project should be spent on sorting out Oxfordshire’s overloaded main roads instead.

“EAG agrees with Oxfordshire County Council that the A34 has been neglected and under invested for many years and badly needs a major upgrade.”

It continued: “We believe this would be the best use of Government funding, and the least damaging for our environment.”

Critics of the planned new road have said the government’s recent involvement in South Oxfordshire District Council’s Local Plan suggests it could potentially want to plot houses along an expressway route in the district.

There has been no confirmation of that from Highways England or the government.

Read more: Dates for new consultation on expressway yet to be decided

A Highways England spokesman said: “We are continuing to work collaboratively on the expressway with all stakeholders in the wider Oxford Cambridge arc.

“The project is currently going through its governance process and once this is completed we will be able to share a more detailed timeline.

“We will continue to engage closely with our stakeholders as we plan out the detail of the consultation and provide them with an update on timing as soon as details are confirmed.”

Council leaders on Oxfordshire Growth Board have been critical of the way the expressway project has been handled.

They have repeatedly called for clarity on where the route could go – because they say that could influence where homes could be built in the future.

In South Oxfordshire, an expressway could improve access to new homes at Chalgrove Airfield which is currently limited.