COUNCILS are still waiting to hear how the consultation into the route of the Oxford-Cambridge expressway will be undertaken.

Last month, the broad path in which the road will be built was announced by the Government. But the consultation will ask where people want the final route.

It has already been announced it will be ‘broadly aligned’ with the East-West rail network.

But the Government and Highways England still have yet to decide whether the road will cut either east or west of Oxford.

If the route cuts west, then Lib Dem MP Layla Moran has publicly said she fears homes in Botley would need to be demolished if the A34 is upgraded as part of the project.

Roger Cox, the leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, told a meeting on Wednesday: “The council will take a leading part in the upcoming consultations and the inquiry into the Oxford and Cambridge corridor and the expressway.

“We are yet to be fully briefed about the composition of these conversations but rest assured we will engage with our residents once we have the full picture.”

He added: “It would be premature to say how we will do this. We must choose an option that is robust within the consultation format.”

In September, all Oxfordshire council leaders, including Mr Cox, wrote to Highways England and the Department for Transport, calling for more certainty about the £3bn road’s eventual route and construction.

City council leader Susan Brown complained of a "lack of clarity", while West Oxfordshire’s leader James Mills said more information was "absolutely essential".

Thousands of people were opposed to the expressway being routed through the Otmoor nature reserve, between Oxford and Bicester. Last month it was ruled out as an option.

The new road is a key part of the Government’s ambitions to boost productivity between two of the country’s most prestigious university cities.

Other plans include a desire to build one million new homes between them before 2050.

Much of that work is likely to take place in Buckinghamshire and around Milton Keynes, but Oxfordshire will be a critical part.