A newly constructed £32 million park and ride facility in Eynsham, Oxfordshire, remains inaccessible two years after its completion due to an unfinished access road. The 850-space car park, finished in 2024, has been dubbed a 'car park to nowhere' by local residents who have criticized its prolonged closure and the associated costs.
Oxfordshire County Council, which is responsible for the project, has struggled to secure the necessary funds to build the road infrastructure required to access the site. This has led to a significant delay in its opening, with the council now pushing the operational date back to early summer 2028. The entire project is not expected to be completed until 2029.
The scheme, funded by a grant, had previously faced a two-year halt starting in 2022 due to rising costs attributed to high inflation. Planning permission for the access road was finally granted in June, with enabling works scheduled to commence in the autumn.
Residents have voiced frustration over the situation, with some labeling the facility a "white elephant" and a "huge waste of money." Jenny Higgs, a local resident, expressed her dismay, stating, "I think it's one big white elephant. They have spent £51m on it. There is no access, they have to put the lights on at night and then there's maintenance - they have to cut the grass and that's all costing more money." Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, added, "Without proper planning, the park and ride is there ready - taking up a lot of space, destroying a lot of wildlife and it is not able to be used until further funding is secured."
Prior to the latest delay announcement, it was reported that the ongoing costs for security, lighting, and fencing at the site amounted to £9,531.50 per month while it remained inaccessible. Conservative councillor Liam Walker criticized the council's management of the project, calling the situation "hugely embarrassing" and a "damning indictment of the way this project has been managed."
Oxfordshire County Council stated that the costs related to the park and ride's maintenance are being covered under the construction contract. Councillor Liz Leffman, Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, acknowledged that such projects are complex and subject to unforeseen factors. "Delays can happen because of complex funding arrangements, challenges with the planning process, negotiations with landowners, or other unforeseen factors," Leffman said. "Every council in the country grapples with these issues, they are not unique to Oxfordshire."