THE Earth Trust has become the latest group to hit out at the plans for an 'Oxford to Cambridge Expressway'.

The environmental charity, which looks after 1,200 acres of farmland, woodland and wetland near Didcot, has said one of the options for a link road from from the A34 to the new expressway would cut across its land, impacting its economic viability and 'undermining its ability to manage Wittenham Clumps hill'.

The charity said the road would harm the Site of Special Scientific Interest on its land and 'destroy the economic viability of the Earth Trust Farm which supports the management and setting of this historic and biodiversity-rich landscape'.

In a statement, CEO Jayne Manley said: "We look after the living genetic collection of hardwood timber trees, Paradise Wood, and this link road will undermine our ability to protect this nationally important resource."

The trust has written to Highways England and the National Infrastructure Commission raising concerns about the proposals.

It also said Wantage MP Ed Vaizey would be 'helping Earth Trust to make sure the importance of the site and their work is properly understood'.

Chancellor Philip Hammond committed £27m towards planning the expressway in the Budget, while Highways England has said it is still too early to know whether any of the three options it has mooted are viable. A consultation is expected in 2019.