County council meets with Oxford MPs to discuss ageing Kennington rail bridge

Oxfordshire County council representatives met with two Oxford MPs on Friday 23 January to discuss the ageing A423 Kennington rail bridge and its strategic importance to the city.

Councillor Judy Roberts, council officers and the Environment Agency met with Layla Moran MP and Anneliese Dodds MP to discuss the condition of the bearings, concrete and temporary propping beneath the bridge and the potential impact of future lane closures or weight restrictions.

The rail bridge is a key part of the southern bypass, carrying around 50,000 vehicles a day and connecting essential science, technology and business locations across Oxford. The bridge is also a crucial part of the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme, with its replacement designed to better allow flood water to pass through.

Oxfordshire County Council is working to secure central government funding for the bridge replacement after a £71 million funding gap was identified last year.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action said: “Replacing Kennington rail bridge is essential for the future resilience of our local road network and the continued growth of science and technology opportunities. Without its replacement, traffic crossing the bridge may be restricted, greatly impacting local businesses and residents.

“A new bridge is also a vital part of the Oxford Flood Alleviation scheme, with the bridge design allowing more capacity for flood water and working as part of the scheme to protect from future flooding.

“The support today from both MPs underlines our shared commitment to ensuring the bridge is replaced as soon as possible. We will continue to work with our MPs and other partners to secure central government funding.”

Layla Moran, the Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon, said: “Kennington Rail Bridge is absolutely critical to Oxford’s transport network and to major local projects like the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme and the Cowley Branch Line. If the bridge continues to deteriorate, the impact will be severe – restricting traffic, clogging up the local road network, and putting vital projects at risk.

“That’s why I’m making the strongest possible case to Government for the remaining funding needed to replace the bridge. The priority must be to act now, prevent disruption before it happens, and deliver a long-term solution for the whole of Oxford.”

Dame Anneliese Dodds, the Member of Parliament for Oxford East, said: “As I've said in Parliament to Government ministers, the replacement of Kennington Rail Bridge is essential for local people to be able to keep getting around but also for local jobs, homes and our environment. I'll keep pushing to ensure the bridge is replaced and the Oxford Flood Alleviation scheme is unlocked.”

Oxfordshire County Council wrote to the chancellor and the secretary of state for transport last year, emphasising the need for financial support from the Department for Transport’s new £1 billion Structures Fund to close a £71 million funding gap in the bridge replacement and improvement project.

The estimated full cost of the project, currently £180 million, has increased due to engineering challenges and inflation in the cost of construction materials. The remaining cost is being met by the council and the Environment Agency.

The rail bridge, built in 1965, needs to be replaced in a way that allows continued access, under traffic management, throughout the construction period.

A water main and fibre optic connections need to be diverted away from the bridge and overhead electricity cables need to be considered during work.

The site also includes a busy passenger and freight railway line and access needs to be planned carefully in advance.

If full funding is secured, Oxfordshire County Council plans to deliver a package of improvements including replacing the rail bridge, building better walking and cycling routes and a new eastbound bus and park and ride lane.

For further information, please contact Oxfordshire County Council’s communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

Notes to editors

Kennington improvements

Kennington rail bridge is part of the A423 Southern Bypass. The bridge was built in 1965 and needs to be replaced due to age-related deterioration and the need for an eastbound bus lane.

·       The structure was passed to Oxfordshire County Council as part of a de-trunking order made by the secretary of state in 2003. Subsequent inspections carried out by the county council identified corrosion and over-rotation of the bearings. Replacing the corroded bearings is not possible due to the construction form of the bridge.

·       The bridge lies above the same rail section affected by the 2023 Nuneham viaduct closure, which disrupted national freight and passenger services. 

·       The bridge has been propped at its piers since 2016 to increase its weight bearing capacity and is regularly surveyed and monitored. The most recent inspection was conducted in August 2025.

·       The A423 Kennington improvement programme includes:

o   the replacement of Kennington rail bridge

o   improved facilities for cycling and walking

o   a new eastbound bus lane – also for use by vehicles travelling to Redbridge park and ride

o   increased capacity of the Hinksey streams for flood alleviation

o   maintenance work on the Kennington road bridge.

·       In October 2024, the county council received planning permission for the improvements. Detailed design work, construction methodologies and all necessary surveys are now nearly complete. Design work revealed that costs would increase due to several factors including:

o   Inflation driving up the cost of materials, labour and specialist construction services.

o   The need for complex temporary work to ensure the existing structure remains stable during reconstruction and the road remains open to traffic.

o   Utility diversions including a complex two-stage Thames Water pipe diversion.

·       Funding for the A423 Kennington improvements comes from multiple sources, including Oxfordshire County Council, the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, the Department for Transport, and the Environment Agency (through the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme).

Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme

The A423 Kennington improvements are closely linked to the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme (OFAS), a major flood defence project led by the Environment Agency which will create a new stream with a wetland wildlife corridor to reduce flood risk in the city and surrounding areas.

The scheme will pass beneath the new Kennington rail bridge, and the new bridge design allows flood water to flow back into the Thames. The scheme will also significantly reduce the flood risk on the Botley and Abingdon Roads as well as the main railway line that will keep Oxford open for business.

Oxfordshire County Council is a key delivery partner, and the scheme is funding the flood alleviation elements of the Kennington project. 

Department for Transport Structures Fund

The £1 billion Structures Fund was announced by the chancellor in June 2025 as part of a national initiative to repair and renew transport infrastructure and road networks across the UK. The fund is designed to support local authorities in addressing critical infrastructure needs, such as the replacement of ageing bridges and viaducts, ensuring the resilience and safety of key transport routes for communities and businesses.

ENDS

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