£332 Million Transport Project, Previously Rejected, Gains Government Approval

Government approval has been granted for a £332 million transport infrastructure initiative, which a local council had previously turned down last year. The planning committee of Oxfordshire County Council voted against the HIF1 (Housing Infrastructure Fund 1) project in July 2023, despite recommendations from the authority’s own officers. The plan includes converting a section of the A4130 into a dual carriageway, extending from the Milton Interchange towards Didcot. Additionally, two new bridges are slated for construction, and Clifton Hampden is set to receive a new bypass. Local government minister Matthew Pennycook formally endorsed the proposal on Wednesday, subsequent to a planning inquiry conducted earlier in the current year. According to the council, construction is anticipated to commence in early 2026 and is projected to continue for approximately two years. Judy Roberts was among the seven members of the council’s planning committee who cast votes against the application last year, while two members supported it. Her appointment as the council’s cabinet member for infrastructure and development strategy occurred in October 2023, following the departure of Labour councillors from the Lib Dem/Green coalition. On Wednesday, she described Mr Pennycook’s decision as “fantastic news”. She stated, “This work is a big step towards tackling congestion in Didcot and the surrounding villages.” She further added, “It will transform travel in the Didcot area for current and future residents as well as commuters, reduce congestion in the surrounding villages, and improve air quality and noise levels.” A new Didcot Science Bridge and an accompanying road are planned to link the A4130 with the Collett Roundabout, traversing the former Didcot A Power Station site. Additionally, a new road bridge connecting Didcot to Culham is scheduled for construction between the A4130 and A415. The UK Atomic Energy Agency (UKAEA), headquartered at Culham Campus, previously stated last year that the effective implementation of HIF1 was “pivotal” to its operations. David Rouane and Bethia Thomas, leaders of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils respectively, both expressed support for the project. However, in summer 2023, county council committee members voiced concerns regarding potential traffic effects on Abingdon and Didcot, as well as the design of the Science Bridge, among other considerations. Last year, Chris Church of Oxford Friends of the Earth asserted that the road’s construction would “generate 510,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2)”. Mr Church added, “This is 40 times what the council produces in all its operations every year”. He concluded, “It’s a complete tearing up of its climate commitments.” While a portion of Green Belt land will be utilized for the project, planning inspector Lesley Coffey determined that the advantages of its use would surpass any detrimental effects. Mr Pennycook, acting on behalf of deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, concurred with this assessment.