Oxford,
16
March
2020
|
09:22
Europe/London

County council launches consultation on infrastructure plans around Didcot - UPDATE

HIF picture
HIF picture

(Above: Artist’s impression of A4130 with improved footways and cycleways.)

Oxfordshire County Council is about to launch a public consultation on the proposed range of transport improvements in Didcot and surrounding areas that will support the creation of new jobs and homes.

The consultation will open on Thursday 19 March. Work on these infrastructure improvements follows the successful funding announcement for £218 million from Government in March 2019 known as the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF). Although the funding for the transport improvements has been announced, Oxfordshire County Council is currently in the final stages of negotiating the details of the funding agreement with Government.

As part of this consultation, public exhibitions were planned across various locations in the local area over the last two weeks in March. Unfortunately, due to the advice from Government with respect to Coronavirus (COVID-19) these have been cancelled. However, residents and businesses can view the plans and submit feedback online until 30 April 2020.

If you know anyone who does not have access to the internet and you think would be interested in this consultation, we would appreciate your help in telling them about it. They can call us on: 07392 318945 or 07833 401067 to discuss the proposals and request printed copies of the consultation materials.

The funding will substantially improve the county’s transport infrastructure, including a new river crossing between Didcot and Culham. The improved infrastructure would enable the development of new housing and employment areas using good sustainable design, supporting improved conditions for cycling.

The four schemes are:

  1. A4130 road widening from A34 Milton Interchange towards Didcot
  2. A new “Science Bridge” over the A4130, Great Western Railway Line and Milton Road into the former Didcot A Power Station site, back to the A4130 near Purchas Road
  3. A new Didcot to Culham River Crossing between the A4130 Northern Perimeter Road at Didcot and A415 near Culham Science Centre
  4. A new Clifton Hampden Bypass between A415 near Culham Science Centre and B4015 Oxford Road north of the village.

Since the previous public exhibition events in November 2018, Oxfordshire County Council has been working to address previous comments and updating the design work. The online consultation will show the latest scheme designs and provide an opportunity for local people to comment on these.

All schemes include new and/or improved high quality walking and cycling routes which will give people real travel choice. The lack of suitable crossings over the railway line and river coupled with the success of the Science Vale area has resulted in heavy congestion. The lack of crossings have resulted in limited alternatives to the private car.

Councillor Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, which submitted the HIF bid, said: “This funding will support the creation of new houses including affordable homes and will improve transport links including walking and cycling routes. It is a big boost for Oxfordshire and underlines our commitment to ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to support new homes. The work will mean that the new homes will be supported by infrastructure that will connect residents with main routes whilst allowing them to avoid surrounding villages.”

How to respond:

The online public consultation will start on Thursday 19 March 2020 and close on Thursday 30 April 2020 (closing at 11:59pm). Please follow this link for more details: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/didcotupdate