A ‘MISSED opportunity’ is how an Oxford MP described the lack of an update on a major road project in the government’s budget.

The Oxford to Cambridge Expressway was placed under a review by transport secretary Grant Shapps following the December General Election.

An announcement about the future of the project was expected as part of the budget speech by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in Parliament yesterday, but none was given as he promised ‘£27bn of tarmac’ for major road projects across the country as part of a Roads Investment Strategy between 2020 and 2025.

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Oxford Mail:

Rishi Sunak. Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran said: “What a missed opportunity. This Government had an open goal and has missed spectacularly.

“So many people in our community have been campaigning for this massive motorway project to be scrapped for years, and still the Government isn’t listening.”

The Lib Dem MP urged the government to move quickly, and said a fully electrified East West Rail link was needed in the Expressway’s place.

The No Expressway Group also criticised the lack of an announcement, and said it would have been an 'ideal opportunity' for the announcement.

READ AGAIN: Our initial coverage of the budget

Oxford Mail:

No Expressway Group campaigners at a meeting in Portcullis House.

While the Roads Investment Strategy does not mention the Expressway, it does include a commitment to safety improvements to the A34.

A planned National Infrastructure Strategy which may include information on the Expressway has been delayed until after the budget, according to PA.

In the budget, Mr Sunak also announced a three-point plan to tackle the coronavirus and pledged £30 billion towards it.

Mr Sunak said: ​“Let me say this: We will get through this together. The British people are worried but they are not daunted.”

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The measures include extra resources for the NHS, support for people taking sick leave, and tax breaks for businesses.

As part of this, businesses valued under £51,000 will not have to pay business rates in the next year.

One of the companies welcoming the news was Oxford company Lamb Catering, which has seen events cancelled due to uncertainty around the coronavirus.

Simon Stonehouse, owner of Lamb Catering said: "The loss of revenue soon mounts up, as a small business knowing that we don’t have to pay out over £4,000 each month, it does help during this unsettling time and I am sure that I am not the only one who is pleased with the outcome of today's budget."

Oxford Mail:

Simon Stonehouse of Lamb Catering welcomed the business rate 'holiday' for SMEs.

Mr Sunak also pledged to abolish the 'tampon tax': which means VAT on all feminine hygiene products will be scrapped as of January next year.

Environmental measures also featured in the budget, including scrapping red diesel discounts for some industries, though agriculture will be exempt.

A total of £120 million will be spent to repair flood defences damaged by winter storms and £640m was announced for projects which use the natural world to capture carbon.