Bid to improve Bicester M40 junction nine
An £8m bid has been made to improve a "notorious traffic black spot" at a busy Oxfordshire junction.
The plan to increase capacity of junction nine of the M40 has been submitted to the Highways Agency by Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Chairman Adrian Shooter said it would help people in Bicester.
The town has about 30,000 residents and Bicester Village Outlet Centre attracts more than 5.5m visitors a year.
Barry Wood, leader of Cherwell District Counci,l said: "Bicester occupies a strategic geographical position which is why it has undoubtedly become one of the fastest growing towns in the country.
"The improvements to junction nine will be key to helping the town attract a wide range of quality businesses which in turn will provide jobs for local people."
If the bid is successful the changes could be made in 2013 or 2014.
The South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council also support the changes.