Transport, Connectivity and Infrastructure

Transport, Connectivity and Infrastructure 3.39 Buckinghamshire benefits from strong strategic transport connections, including national rail services, the motorway network and proximity to London Heathrow and London Luton airports. The county’s transport infrastructure supports economic activity, commuting patterns and access to employment, services and education, whilst providing strong connections to London, Oxford, Milton Keynes and the wider Southeast. 3.40 Major infrastructure projects are also shaping future connectivity across Buckinghamshire. High Speed 2 (HS2) passes through the county as part of the national high-speed rail network between London and Birmingham, whilst East West Rail (EWR) will improve east-west connections between Oxford, Milton Keynes and surrounding areas, including a new station at Winslow. These projects are expected to influence future patterns of movement, accessibility, investment and growth across the county. Figure 5: Strategic Road and rail connections in Buckinghamshire (Source: Buckinghamshire Economic Growth Plan, 2025) 3.41 Figure 5 illustrates Buckinghamshire’s strategic transport connections, including the motorway network, key A-roads and rail infrastructure, and highlights the county’s strong connectivity to London and neighbouring economic centres such as Oxford, Milton Keynes and Luton. 3.42 Despite these strengths, parts of Buckinghamshire’s transport network are operating at or close to capacity, particularly around key towns, strategic routes and major transport corridors. Modelling indicates that traffic volumes are likely to increase over the plan period, placing additional pressure on transport infrastructure and connectivity. 3.43 Whilst Buckinghamshire benefits from strong north-south transport connections, east-west connectivity remains more limited in some parts of the county. Public transport accessibility is also more constrained in certain rural areas, where reliance on private vehicle travel remains high. These factors can affect access to employment, services and opportunities, whilst contributing to congestion and wider accessibility challenges. 3.44 Major infrastructure projects, including East West Rail and HS2, will improve connectivity and accessibility across parts of the county but do not address all existing transport and infrastructure constraints. Continued investment in transport infrastructure, public transport, active travel and digital connectivity is therefore important in supporting sustainable growth. 3.45 Buckinghamshire also faces pressures on wider infrastructure provision, including healthcare, education, utilities, wastewater treatment, green infrastructure, digital connectivity and community services. Ensuring that new development is supported by the timely delivery of infrastructure is critical in maintaining sustainable, healthy and well-connected communities throughout the plan period. 3.46 Transport is a significant contributor to carbon emissions across Buckinghamshire, accounting for approximately 51% of total emissions within the county. Improving sustainable and integrated transport options, including public transport and active travel infrastructure, is therefore important in supporting healthier lifestyles, reducing emissions, improving accessibility and supporting more sustainable patterns of movement across Buckinghamshire. 3.47 Together, these factors highlight the need to plan for coordinated infrastructure investment, improve connectivity and accessibility, and reduce reliance on private vehicle travel whilst supporting sustainable patterns of growth. Supporting infrastructure-led development and improving accessibility across both urban and rural areas therefore remain important priorities for the Local Plan.