NEW roads including a bridge across the river Thames will be included in a bid for Government funding to help Didcot cope with population growth.

Oxfordshire County Council will open a consultation this week on several proposed schemes aimed at improving roads in and around the town that are seen as ‘no longer fit for purpose’.

Detailed plans, which include a long-awaited new bridge at Culham and a bypass at Clifton Hampden, will be unveiled on Friday before public events are held allowing people to give feedback.

Following the consultation, the proposed measures will be put forward as part of the council’s Housing Infrastructure Fund bid to support the building of 22,000 homes.

Oxford Mail:

Susan Halliwell, Oxfordshire County Council’s director for planning and place, said: “Didcot is a thriving community and growing town.

“It and the surrounding area is playing a big part in Oxfordshire’s current and future economic success. However, with this comes challenges.

“The current road network in the Didcot area is no longer fit for purpose. Links between housing and employment are limited mainly due to the River Thames and railway lines.

“The package of potential improvements that we are hoping to put forward for Government funding look to address current and future transport needs.”

Other proposed schemes include turning the A4130 between Didcot and the Milton Interchange into a dual carriageway and a ‘science bridge’ connecting two parts of the A4130 with cycling and pedestrian facilities.

The proposed bridge at Culham was previously estimated to cost £100million and would connect the science campus to Didcot.

It was previously seen as a vital part of South Oxfordshire District Council's Local Plan which included a 3,500-home estate in Culham before councillors went back to the drawing board in May.

Historic England objected to two possible routes for the bridge because they would infringe on ancient sites.

Residents and town leaders have repeatedly stressed the road network in Didcot is already too congested with large amounts of traffic at peak times in the day.

The public exhibitions will be held at Didcot Civic Hall on November 7 from 12-8pm and the Cornerstone on November 17 from 10am until 4pm.

Plans will also be online at oxfordshire.gov.uk/didcot from November 2 and the consultation ends on November 25.