B4031
| B4031 | |||||||||||||
| Location Map ( geo) | |||||||||||||
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| From: | Barley Mow Farm, Croughton (SP575334) | ||||||||||||
| To: | Swerford Heath (SP391317) | ||||||||||||
| Distance: | 12.2 miles (19.6 km) | ||||||||||||
| Meets: | A421, A43, B4100, A4260, A361 | ||||||||||||
| Old route now: | A421 | ||||||||||||
| Highway Authorities | |||||||||||||
| Traditional Counties | |||||||||||||
| Route outline (key) | |||||||||||||
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The B4031 is a rural B-road near Banbury.
Originally the road started on the A421 at Finmere on the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire border. However, in the 2000s the A421 was extended west along the B4031 to avoid Bicester. As such the B4031 now starts at the Barleymow Roundabout, where it also meets the A43.
The road heads westwards through Croughton before reaching a T-junction on the B4100. The B4031 turns right and multiplexes along that road through Aynho. On a map the B4031 is the straight road whereas the B4100 twists and turns - but then that road is the former A41 and therefore trunk at one time.
After passing through Aynho the B4031 turns left to regain its number. It descends to go under the M40 and then, in very quick succession, goes under the Oxford-Bicester Railway Line, over the Oxford-Banbury Railway Line and over the Oxford Canal at Aynho Wharf. Then we cross the River Cherwell at Clifton where the road crosses into Oxfordshire. The road then climbs on to Deddington, where there is a very narrow section just before the Market Square. We then cross the A4260 at traffic lights.
The next village is Hempton before the road descends Steepness Hill to cross a saddle before climbing again to Iron Down. It skirts the edge of the plateau before terminating on the A361 on Swerford Heath.
