Wheatley Interchange

Wheatley Interchange is a set of two closely-spaced junctions (numbered junction 8 and junction 8A) on the mainline M40 and one on a spur linking with the A40 towards Oxford.

History and Description

Junction 8

The junction was originally a temporary motorway terminal, where eastbound traffic had a single offslip from the A40 dual carriageway to the bypassed A40 to the east of the junction, and westbound motorway restrictions ended without a junction. The current junction 8 was created by diverting the A40 northbound onto a previously unclassified road to meet the A418, and constructing a fork for free-flowing access between London and Oxford, with the M40 mainline heading north west from the remaining spot.

Junction 8A

sign for junction 8A heading east along the A418

The current junction 8A was originally numbered as part of '8', though this wasn't always shown on maps. It originally consisted of a north-facing half-diamond onto the A418, with emergency access available to the south via a pair of gates, one of which still exists on the A418. When Oxford services were built, the junction was converted into a full-access dumbbell and renumbered '8A'.

Spur Junction

The westbound entry onto the A40

The trumpet interchange at the end of the spur, with the A418 and A40 was built in the 1960s when the A40 was upgraded east of Oxford. Due to its age and it not originally being a motorway junction, the junction has tight slip roads, especially linking to the westbound carriageway.

Routes

Route	To	Notes
M40	Birmingham, Banbury
M40	London, High Wycombe
A40	Oxford, Cheltenham
A418	Thame, Aylesbury, Tiddington
A40	London (M40), Wallingford (A329), Milton Common, Tetsworth
	Oxford services	off junction 8A
	Wheatley	London Road
	Waterstock Golf Club	off junction 8A
	Waterstock

Links

legislation.gov.uk

• The M40 Motorway (Wheatley Service Area Access) Connecting Roads Scheme 1997