The the council is hoping to sign a contractor up on an earli involvement basis to work up designs for the 2 km long, 7.3 m wide single carriageway road.

The new road is needed to relieve pressure on roads in the area caused by residential growth in Witney.

Since the road scheme was first on the drawing board almost 20 years ago, it has been part of the district council’s Local Plan policy.

It should have been built earlier, after receiving planning permission in 1997, but was delayed through lack of funding.

Even now no work under Phase 1 or Phase 2 can be guaranteed at this point and the contract timescales are not fixed.

An essential part of the contract is for the detailed planning and programming of the of the scheme to ensure all the civil, landscape, ecology, utility diversions and possible archaeology, can be undertaken

The scheme includes construction of new carriageway, three bridges, two culverts, improvements to side roads, improvement of existing roundabouts and a new roundabout where Cogges Link Road will join the B4022 Oxford Hill.

Interested firms have until 24 February to submit PQQs to Lydia Dunsdon at Oxfordshire County Council at email: [email protected] or tel: 01865241577.