Frequently asked questions
Why is the scheme needed?
The scheme will provide vital transport infrastructure to reduce congestion and enable more reliable journey times, improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity, and support new employment sites and housing. It is currently expected that the project will directly unlock 11,711 new homes and support the delivery of more than 17,000 new homes in total in the Didcot Garden Town area. These future residential areas are located across 12 separate sites in and around Didcot in South Oxfordshire (SODC) and Vale of White Horse (VoWHDC) districts.
How much funding has been secured?
In March 2019, Homes England awarded £218m for the scheme, with a further £16m secured against Section 106 developer contributions. In early 2022, additional funding for the scheme was secured from Homes England (£21.8m), the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (£10m capital investment generated from Enterprise Zones business rates retention) and £30m underwritten from the council capital budget.
What is the overall programme of works?
The planning application was submitted in November 2021.
Following the resolution of the County Council’s planning and regulation committee in July, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) called in the application. This means a government-appointed planning inspector will consider the scheme at an inquiry, and the Secretary of State will take the decision about whether to approve the planning application.
A conjoined planning and CPO inquiry will take place locally, beginning in February 2024 and running through March, April and potentially into May 2024.
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will determine the planning element; the Secretary of State for Transport will determine the CPO element.
After the inquiry, the government appointed inspector will draft a report and present it to both Secretaries of State, who will make the final decisions. This may take several months.
Further details about the construction will be made once a decision is announced.
How is the land being obtained for the scheme?
Every effort will be made to acquire the necessary land and new rights by private agreement. However, should this not be possible, we may be required to use Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers to acquire the land necessary to deliver the infrastructure schemes. Using the CPO powers is always a last resort.
Landowner and developer engagement and negotiation is ongoing.
What are the speed limits of the four elements?
- A4130 Widening: 40mph
- Science Bridge: 30mph
- Didcot to Culham River Crossing: 30mph at the southern end, 50mph elsewhere
- Clifton Hampden Bypass: 40mph at the southern end at the new roundabout, 50mph elsewhere
What about the impact on wildlife and the environment?
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) has been carried out to ensure any impacts on the environment, wildlife and ecology are properly investigated and mitigated or avoided where possible in accordance with the applicable legislation. The EIA also includes the impact on the historic environment, an Air Quality Impact Assessment and Noise Impact Assessment. As part of the landscaping strategy, there is the potential for planting alongside some sections of the schemes.
Will construction traffic cause traffic disruption in Didcot?
There will be some disruption during construction, but through the implementation of a Construction Traffic Management Plan this disruption will be minimised wherever possible.
The construction of the four elements will also be carefully phased in order to avoid, where possible, works taking place simultaneously in multiple locations on the existing highway network. During construction residents and businesses can check live road works on One Network for Oxfordshire County Council.
What type of pedestrian and cycle crossings will there be across the scheme?
The type of each pedestrian and cycle crossing depends on the nature of the environment, the anticipated usage, and the proposed speed limit in each location.
The next stages of design will further consider the appropriateness of each type of crossing, taking into account the comments received from the planning application, and further Road Safety Audits.
How can I find out more?
If you have any specific questions about the overall programme or its individual elrements, please contact the delivery team at HIF1project@Oxfordshire.gov.uk