Plans for a flyover bridge as part of a new road and river crossing linking Didcot with the Culham Science Centre has been labelled “damaging” as four councils object to the current plans.
The road and river crossing over the River Thames just outside Abingdon, has been driven by a boom in the science sector and with hopes it will create enough space on the roads for 11,711 new homes on several sites around Didcot.
Oxfordshire County Council has drawn up plans as part of a package of major road improvement schemes in the Didcot area. Plans include widening the A4130 from A34 Milton Interchange towards Didcot from single to dual carriageway; a new Science Bridge over the A4130, Great Western Railway Line and Milton Road into the former Didcot A Power Station site; a new Didcot to Culham bridge between the A4130 and A415; and a Clifton Hampden bypass.
Despite seeing the benefits of having a new Thames crossing, Appleford, Culham, Long Wittenham and Sutton Courteney parish councils have joined forces objecting specifically to having a flyover near Appleford level crossing.
Villagers and parish councillors in Appleford and Long Wittenham argue that a flyover road would would cause pollution and it would split the village in two, while Culham parish council is completely against the new road. Appleford village wants a compromise which would see the new road moved 200 to 250 metres west of the railway line.
Appleford parish councillor, Greg O’Broin said: “It won’t just be a negative impact, the flyover will damage the village. The road will be less than the width of the playing field of either Twickenham or Wembley away.”
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Mr O’Broin explained his biggest concern is the proximity of the flyover to the village, he is worried for visual and noise pollution and wants to protect the residents of Appleford. He supports plans for a road that will ease traffic congestion and would like to work with the county council to reach a compromise.
He said: “We don’t believe the cost would be materially different by pushing the road back and putting the bridge in the place we are proposing. However, the value and benefit to the people of Appleford would be significant.”
Long Wittenham Parish Council also supports the new road and river crossing because it would filter traffic away from Appleford and moving the new road further west, would also reduce noise levels in Long Wittenham.
Gordon Rogers, chairman of Long Wittenham parish council said: “The further west the bridge goes the better it is for noise pollution. The flyover would also be a monstrosity splitting the village in two, so we support their concerns.”
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However, the alternative route would require building a road through a lake and a recent landfill site. It could also result in a road being built close to a school playing field in Culham.
Sam Casey-Rerhaye chair of Culham Parish Council is against plans for a new road. Although the parish council is supporting Appleford because it agrees the flyover would bring more pollution to the area, it is also against moving the road west as this could cause the road to be built near a school playing field in Culham.
Ms Casey-Rerhaye said: “The big problem is new roads induce more traffic jams. We are against this road we think it is the wrong approach in a climate crisis. It is the wrong approach to infrastructure. What we need is regular bus services into the evening, better train services, good cycle and walking routes to encourage different types of travel.”
Oxfordshire County Council said: “Oxfordshire County Council has liaised extensively with Appleford Parish Council and continues to do so. However, the Appleford Parish Council proposal requires building a road through a recent landfill site and through a lake. This creates significant engineering challenges and risk. Work is ongoing to assess and report on the impact of the current, approved alignment which will include an assessment of noise, air quality and visual impact, including any mitigations as appropriate.”
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