Oxford United urged to finalise bridge plan for new stadium

Although the planning application submission has been collectively welcomed by councillors Dorothy Walker, Lesley McLean and Jean Conway, the proposed stadium – aimed to be the first all-electric one in the UK – has been perceived to lack details on how fans will safely enter and exit the site.

The club has confirmed it is undertaking a planning application process to build a bridge over the road from the station.

The stadium plan, which includes a 180-bed hotel, restaurant, conference and event space, and a health and wellbeing centre, was submitted to Cherwell District Council.

Jean Conway and Lesley McLean, right (Image: Bicester and Woodstock Liberal Democrats)It highlights the construction of a 16,000-capacity ground at The Triangle, to the south of Kidlington Roundabout.

However, the absence of a pedestrian bridge over Oxford Road in the application has caused concern among the council and locals.

Oxfordshire County Council dismissed the club's original idea of closing Oxford Road on matchdays, viewing it as detrimental for the local community and the road network.

With the club's lease at Kassam Stadium expiring in 2026, the new site offers an exciting prospect while maintaining the "crucial green lung" pasture between Kidlington and the city.

Yet, the traffic due to the potential closure of Oxford Road, a prime route going from Kidlington to North Oxford, is a considerable issue.

Councillor Dorothy Walker said: "Visitor access is an integral part of any stadium's operation and we need to see the wider picture".

Councillor Dorothy Walker (Image: Bicester and Woodstock Liberal Democrats)
Oxfordshire County Council's agreement stipulates a few requirements, such as improved public access by foot or bicycle through a new entrance across Oxford Road.

This would involve a bridge providing sufficient capacity and accessibility to the site.

Any alternative involving road closure could risk Kidlington residents' freedom of movement and impact wider road network users.

Ian Middleton, the deputy leader of The Green and Liberal Democrat Alliance for Oxfordshire County Council, has expressed concerns the club's bridge proposal could be separately dealt with, which he deems vital to the whole stadium's viability.

In his view, the stadium should not make progress until the bridge is fully planned.

The Friends of Stratfield Brake (FoSB), representing opposition to the proposed site, proposed a Grampian condition.

This means development could be halted until off-site works for the bridge are finished on land outside the developers' control.

For the football club, the plans are still in process, with ongoing discussions revolving around the proposed bridge.

While some, such as Paul Scaysbrook, chair of the Oxford United Supporters' Panel, call it the "most practical solution", sceptics like Suzanne McIvor from FoSB insist that stadium permission should only be granted with an accompanying footbridge plan.