Oxfordshire County Council and its principal highways contractor M Group will be upgrading approximately 32 surface inlay sites, involving over 85,000 square metres of road, and three in-depth carriageway structural maintenance schemes, covering 20,838 square metres.

The programme is designed to renew worn and deteriorated road surfaces, improve driving conditions and reduce the need for more reactive repairs in the future. It also supports the council's commitment to reducing carbon emissions from highway maintenance activities.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repairs, said: “Following the extreme wet and cold weather we experienced last year, we will be using the summer months to get our roads ready to withstand the worst of the winters to come.

“This vital new programme will extend the life of roads by preventing water getting in, reducing the need for frequent repairs, enhancing skid resistance for safer travel, and smoothing out road surfaces.

“Prevention is better than cure. I know from my own division that the roads that were least affected by potholes this winter were the ones that had been resurfaced most recently.”

Richard Lovewell, M Group’s Business Director, said: “Resurfacing is a vital pillar of highway maintenance, alongside preventative measures such as surface dressing and reactive repairs. We’re proud to be once again partnering with Oxfordshire County Council to deliver a comprehensive package of resurfacing.

“By investing in resurfacing at the right time, we can extend the life of the carriageway, improve safety for road users and help prevent more costly repairs in the future.”

In a county first, one of the structural maintenance schemes will incorporate ACLA, an innovative carbon-negative aggregate-like additive. The technology helps maintain the road's structural integrity while permanently locking carbon into the carriageway, contributing to a lower-carbon approach to highway maintenance.

Major roads to be resurfaced include:

• A44 Worcester Road, Chipping Norton (3 - 7 August)
• A40, Swinbrook (5 August)
• A361 Southam Road, Banbury (24 August - September)
• A361 Horsefair, Banbury (27 August - 11 September)
• A361 Southam Road/Horsefair crossroads (9 - 10 September)
• A40, Milton Common (21 - 22 September)
• Thames Street, Oxford (23 September to 24 September)
• Horspath Driftway, Oxford (28 September - 16 October).

Longer resurfacing schemes include:

• Upavon Way, Carterton (17 August - 25 September)
• Lower Icknield Way, Chinnor (29 September - 2 October)
• A44 Cross Hands (24 August - 6 November).

These dates include preliminary work which will usually take place under temporary traffic lights, ahead of the main surfacing work which will require road closures. To minimise public disruption, the surfacing work takes place overnight wherever possible.

All dates are subject to alteration due to the weather.

Motorists are asked to observe the diversion routes which will be in operation while the work takes place.

Updated details about the programme, including a map showing where and when the work will be taking place, is available on the council’s website.

The latest resurfacing work follows the council’s latest £8 million surface dressing road maintenance programme, most of which was completed between April and June.

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Oxfordshire County Council will carry out drainage improvements on Buttercross Lane from 3 – 28 August. The road will be shut from its junction with Willowbank while the work is carried out.

As the route is the only means of vehicular access, traffic management including marshals will be in place to manage the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, said: “Residents have had to put up with flooding at this location for far too long due to a lack of proper maintenance by the developer prior to the road’s adoption by the council as highways authority.

“Officers have worked hard to come up with a solution to this problem, which was far from straightforward to resolve. Once completed, this should significantly reduce the risk of the road flooding whenever there is heavy rain.

“Although marshals will be present while the work takes place, there may be times when it is not possible for people to gain immediate passage through the site. When this happens, we would ask for patience and co-operation from the public.”

Before the project begins, survey work will take place to identify the depth of underground apparatus throughout the site. This element could result in some delays for those wishing access through the site.

Warning signs will be installed at the junction of Station Lane and Buttercross Lane two weeks before the start date.

During the work, one side of the carriageway will be left open, when feasible to do so, to allow residents to move through the site.

Temporary ramps will be installed on the kerb line to assist larger vehicles that need to travel through the site. This operation will be done under the guidance of one of the marshals.

Overnight barriers will be installed at the site while the work takes place, although one lane will be left open to enable the public to exit and enter Buttercross Lane.

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Eighty-seven roads will be improved as part of an £8 million Oxfordshire County Council highway maintenance programme beginning this spring.

The council and its principal highway contractor M Group will be visiting 62 towns and villages between April and June to carry out surface dressing work.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “The places with the best roads there are the ones that don’t get potholes in the first place.

“Oxfordshire has some of the busiest roads in the country, with 4.79 billion vehicle miles travelled in 2024. Heavy traffic puts huge strain on road surfaces.

“Reactive pothole repairs are expensive and inefficient. Preventative maintenance, such as surface dressing, is far better value and stops potholes forming in the first place.”

Richard Lovewell, M Group Business Director, said: “Surface dressing is the most cost-effective and efficient way to increase the life of our roads. It prevents water ingress, improves skid resistance and ultimately protects the carriageway from future potholes.

“We’re proud to be supporting the council in delivering this forward-thinking investment in Oxfordshire’s road network. Delivering a programme of this scale demands real teamwork between the council and M Group working alongside our partners Hazell & Jefferies and Wilson & Scott.

“My thanks go out to everyone involved in pulling this complex programme together and to the crews who will be working tirelessly on the ground.”

The council is urging motorists to watch out for notifications of the work taking place and to drive carefully after it has been carried out.

Driving too fast on a recently treated road can result in broken windscreens or chipped paintwork, as the friction from the tyres can dislodge loose chips. There is also an increased risk of skidding while the new chippings ‘bed in’.

For these reasons, an advisory speed limit of 20mph will be put in place. It is important to adhere to these low speeds until all warning signs have been removed.

Surface dressing takes place after existing defects have been patched and involves applying bituminous emulsion onto the road as a binder. This is followed immediately by the application of chippings to dress the emulsion layer.

The method offers many advantages, including:

• Sealing the road surface to keep out water, one of the major causes of deterioration and potholes.
• Reducing the deterioration of the road surface.
• Restoring the necessary level of skid resistance to reduce skid-related traffic collisions.
• Enabling worn out road surfaces to last longer, increasing the time before structural maintenance is required.
• Maximising the cost effectiveness of limited highway maintenance budgets.
• Minimising traffic disruption and congestion as large areas of roads – up to 100,000 square metres – can be treated in a single day.
• The work is highly weather dependent and cannot be completed in wet conditions.

Updated details about the programme, including a map showing where and when the work will be taking place, will be available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

However, the work is highly weather dependent and cannot be completed in wet conditions. Therefore, the earlier in the spring it can be started, the more likely it can be completed with minimal disruptions as it provides extra leeway for days lost to rain.

Last year, the council treated over 1.4 million square metres of carriageway, whether in full-scale resurfacing programmes or preventative treatments, like surface dressing which prolongs the life of the roads treated by up to 10 years.

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And with colder weather at the start of 2026, people can follow the activities of the newly named gritters’ journeys on cold winter nights through the online gritter tracker.

In 2025, Oxfordshire County Council and its highways maintenance contractor M Group announced a competition to name the 30 gritting lorries that ensure that the county’s roads keep moving and stay safe when the cold weather hits. Nearly 1,500 suggestions were received.

Wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Chur-chill and his Woodstock birthplace of Blenheim Pal-ice made the cut, along with Wantage-born King Alfred the Grit.

People would be right to suspect that Wallingford’s queen of the whodunnits Agatha Gritstie was a popular choice, while Oxford’s most famous fictional detective Endeavour Morse has been immortalised as Inspector Norse. The late actor who played him, the appropriately named John Thaw, was also chosen.

There will be no surprises that local rock legends Radiohead – fresh from their sell-out comeback tour – had a vehicle, Radiospread, named after them.

Sir Roger Ban-ice-ster, who broke the four minute mile barrier at Oxford’s Iffley Road running track in 1954, was a worthy recipient, along with the late footballer Joey Beauchamp – regarded by many as the greatest player in Oxford United’s history. Snowy Beauchamp was chosen to honour him.

Groundbreaking Oxford-born cosmologist Professor Stephen Thawking and Snowdo Baggins – named after Frodo Baggins, a character in Oxford don JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit – made the grade.

Oxfordshire landmarks Shotover Hill and the Wittenham Clumps – aka Shotover Chill and Grittenham Clumps – were also among the successful public suggestions.

The process followed the appeal in October, which put an emphasis on names with local significance, inspired by Oxfordshire’s rich history and cultural importance.

A shortlist was compiled from the 1,480 suggestions received, with the gritter drivers themselves choosing the winners.

Listeners to the BBC Radio Oxford Breakfast Show took part as well, coming up with three of the names.

Pupils from the schools closest to the council’s depots where the gritters and salt barns are based – Woodcote Primary, Deddington CE Primary and Drayton Community Primary – also chose three names each. The children will get the chance to meet their gritters later this winter.

Two vehicles were named in tribute to gritter drivers and supervisors who died recently, while Blizzard of Ozz was a nod to Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away earlier this year. While not local, the cover of their debut album was photographed on the Mapledurham estate in Oxfordshire.

The names in full

• Bossy
• Monster Rich
• Snow-bi Wan Kenobi
• Robin the Great
• Duck, Duck, Grit
• Draytonator!
• Did You Just In-Salt Me?
• Great Gritain
• Hansel and Gritel
• Gritasaurus
• Ready, Spready, Go
• Elvis Spreadley
• Inspector Norse
• Agatha Gritstie
• Snowy Beauchamp
• Gritty Gritty Bang Bang
• Sir Winston Chur-chill
• Shotover Chill
• Snowdo Baggins
• Radiospread
• Professor Stephen Thawking
• Claudia Sprinkleman
• Blenheim Pal-ice
• Sir Roger Ban-ice-ster
• Grittenham Clumps
• Grittmeister 5000
• Alfred the Grit
• Spready Mercury
• John Thaw
• Blizzard of Ozz.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Thank you to everyone who took part in helping us name these gritters. It’s been great fun and Oxfordshire’s residents have come up with some wonderful ideas.

“Our gritter drivers do an amazing job at the most unsociable hours and in the coldest temperatures, helping to make our roads safer. If you do find yourself behind one of them, which are restricted to 30mph when they are carrying out their work, so please be patient and considerate – they are there to keep you safe.

“And remember that while we make great efforts to keep roads clear in winter, drivers must never assume that a road will be free from ice and should adjust their driving to suit the conditions.”

The fleet of gritting vehicles consist of 15 26 tonne trucks, 12 18 tonne vehicles, two 7.5 tonne trucks and one 3.5 tonne ‘baby gritter’, to treat very narrow roads and the park and rides. In total, 30 vehicles are stationed at three winter depots across the county, ready for when the temperatures drop.

Every time the temperature drops below freezing, the gritters hit the highways to spread salt and make our motorists safer. They’ve already been out several times this winter.

Richard Lovewell, M Group Business Director, said: “Naming our new gritters has been a lot of fun but does bring into focus the hard work that goes into ensuring that Oxfordshire is ‘winter ready’, and highlights the huge effort required, throughout the winter period, to keep our roads as safe as possible.

“Our drivers enjoyed voting on the names that the public suggested and we hope you recognise a few names as the fleet heads out across Oxfordshire over the next few months.”

The fleet of gritting vehicles consist of 15 26 tonne trucks, 12 18 tonne vehicles, two 7.5 tonne trucks and one 3.5 tonne ‘baby gritter’, to treat very narrow roads and the park and rides. In total, 30 vehicles are stationed at three winter depots across the county, ready for when the temperatures drop.

The three covered salt barns in Woodcote, Deddington and Drayton, near Abingdon, keep around 10,000 tonnes of road salt dry and in optimum condition for use by 54 specialist gritter drivers.

The council salts approximately 42 per cent of Oxfordshire’s road network, one of the highest rates in the country.

While Oxford City Council looks after the gritting inside the Oxford ring road, Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for the rest of the county – including all A roads, B roads and some C roads, apart from the M40, A43 and A34, which are covered by National Highways.

Oxfordshire’s gritter drivers treat 27 routes across the county in each gritting session, covering over 3,500km in total, of which 1,960km (1,200 miles) are salted – the equivalent of travelling from London to Iceland.

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A number of school street trials to encourage safer, healthier and more active school day starts and finishes have been given the go ahead at an Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member decision meeting today – 11 December 2025.

The school streets trials approved are:

• Edith Moorhouse Primary School and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Carterton

• Harriers Banbury Academy, Banbury

• Willowcroft Community Primary School and St Birinus Boys School, Didcot

An extension to the existing school street for Sandhills Community Primary School in Headington has also been agreed.

School streets restrict motor vehicle access to the area near the school entrance during school start and finish times only and would be enforced by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Since the county’s first school streets were trialled in Oxford in 2021, our school communities have reported back to us on the considerable benefits that a comparatively small arrangement can make for the school gate environment.

“I am inspired by how positive the feedback has been from them – parents, carers and pupils enjoy a healthier, and a calmer and safer environment during the rush of school drop-off and pick-up. Residents on school streets are able to enter and exit their homes and start or finish the working day more easily without stress from school run traffic or vehicles parked blocking them in.

“Being able to park at a nominated site close to the school and walk the last little bit helps for people who need to combine the school run with other journeys. It doesn’t really take more time than queueing to find a parking space by the school and loses the stress of navigating other school rush traffic trying to get away to get to work on time.

“Some people have concerns about how a school street might impact them, and this is why we’re trialling them first. We want to make sure that school streets are a really positive experience for everyone.”

County council officers will work with the schools in the new year to implement the school streets trials. All households who may need an exemption for themselves, and/or a carer or family member will be written to later in January so that these can be arranged. Other considerations such as parents/carers needing exemptions due to their or their children’s disability or illness can be arranged through the schools.

It is anticipated the school street trials would begin in March. The school street restrictions and ANPR cameras will only operate during the approved times around school start and finish, on school days and covering the entry point.

Trialling the school streets will allow residents, schools and communities to feedback any aspects of the school street that need improving to help shape a better plan for the future.

Notes 

• The details of the school streets approved to be trialled are:

  • Banbury - Harriers Banbury Academy, 8.15am - 9.15am and 2.30pm - 4.00pm. Covering Harrier's View from the junction with Bloxham Road

  • Carterton – Edith Moorhouse Primary School and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, 8.15am - 9.15am and 2.30pm - 3.30pm. Covering Carter’s Close, Edgeworth Drive, Home Close, Lavender Place, Richens Drive, Rose Close and Spurrett Gardens, and Lawton Avenue between Alvescot Road junction and Arkell Avenue/Rock Close junction

  • Didcot – Willowcroft Community Primary School and St Birinus Boys School, 8.00am - 9.00am and 2.30pm - 3.30pm. Covering Abbott Road, The Croft, Glebe Road, Kynaston Road between Mereland and Ridgeway Road junctions, Mereland Road between Abbott and Kynaston Road junctions, Richmere and Ridgeway Roads. Addresses in Sinodun Road, Abbott Close and Bridge Close in Didcot would also be exempt as they are reliant on streets within the school street for access

  • Headington – Sandhills Community Primary School, 8.00am - 9.00am and 2:30 - 3:30pm. Previously covering Terrett Avenue, Elton Close and Sweet Green Close. The trial will bring in Delbush Avenue – from the Merewood Avenue junction up to the Hill View junction to the existing school street arrangement. The existing trial school street for Sandhills community primary school in Headington, was approved to be made permanent at a cabinet member decision meeting on 9 October 2025. During its trial it became clear that there was a need to trial extending the area to include Delbush Avenue due to impacts from school run vehicles parking across the pavement in the Avenue

• Residents and businesses either in the school streets or whose access to their addresses is dependent on the school street can register their vehicles for exemption, and for specific vehicles that need to maintain access to their homes during school street times – such as carers. Other exemptions also apply including emergency vehicles, blue badge holders, certain service vehicles and carers. Oxfordshire County Council will publish more information in January. Any further enquiries can be emailed to SchoolsActiveTravel@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

• ANPR cameras are triggered by vehicles (not people) entering a set trigger area – in which case they photograph the vehicle’s licence/ registration plate details, and an automatic notice is issued if that registration is not on the school street’s exempted list. They do not record continuously and would be set to work only during the approved times stated above

• Officers will be looking at a range of mitigations identified during the recent consultation period including the opportunity to add a double yellow line on the Bloxham Road opposite Harriers View, to deter unsafe parking

• More information about school streets:

  • Report to cabinet  This webpage includes the report to cabinet and the supporting information documents relating to the proposals

  • Oxfordshire Local cycling and walking infrastructure plan

  • School streets (including details of existing school street locations and operating times, and exemptions)

• Oxfordshire County Council’s plans for a greener, fairer and healthier county are set out in Oxfordshire’s strategic plan 2025 - 28. School streets are a part of Oxfordshire County Council’s Local Transport and Connectivity Plan. This aims to deliver a net-zero Oxfordshire transport and travel system that enables the county to thrive while protecting the environment and making Oxfordshire a better place to live for all residents

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Residents are now able to apply for permits ahead of the launch of Oxfordshire County Council’s temporary congestion charge in Oxford, using an online permit registration system.

The county council’s scheme to tackle traffic problems in Oxford in the short-term is planned to start on Wednesday 29 October.

The temporary congestion charge will reduce traffic in the city during Network Rail’s extended closure of Botley Road, making journeys quicker, more connected, more flexible and more reliable. When Botley Road reopens, the council will be able to introduce its traffic filter trial as planned.

Cars with a valid permit will be able to drive free of charge through all six congestion charge locations in Oxford.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management said: “Oxford needs to reduce the number of cars on its roads to thrive. I am delighted that we have now reached this important milestone in implementing the temporary congestion charge in Oxford. Together with the significant reduction in congestion that we will see with the temporary charge, the permits will enable those who need to make trips by car, to do so much more easily.

“Thank you to residents, businesses and partners who have provided us with feedback on this temporary charge, including the consultation in the summer and representations to cabinet earlier in September. We have used this to develop the different types of permits available.”

People driving a car without a permit can pay a £5 daily charge to drive through the charge locations. The charge will be payable only once per day and allows travel through multiple charge locations per day, or any single charge location multiple times per day.

Any vehicle that isn’t a car – for example: van, motorbike and bus – will be automatically exempt from the temporary congestion charge and owners of these vehicles do not need to apply for a permit.

Permits are available for residents, blue badge holders, community health and care workers, mobile traders, patients with frequent hospital visits, and many other groups.

Following the public consultation in the summer, two new permit types were added to the scheme, allowing free travel for members of sports clubs or military training in the Oxford permit area and for pool cars owned and operated by businesses or organisations in the Oxford permit area.

To support their permit application, people are asked to provide evidence of their eligibility, for instance a proof of address, the V5C (logbook) for the car they’re applying for, or valid blue badge. All details are of the requirements for each type of permit are clearly listed on the permit application webpage.

Residents can get help with permit registration or apply by calling customer services on: 01865 519800.

With the money the congestion charge raises, the council will fund better public transport options and more travel connections locally, giving people more choice in how they travel.

Ends

Notes for editors

More information and how to apply online can be found at oxfordshire.gov.uk/congestioncharge
Frequently asked questions about the temporary congestion charge: FAQs 

List of available permit types:

• central permit area resident
• central permit area resident’s visitors
• central permit area workplace parking
• Oxford permit area resident
• Oxfordshire permit area resident
• blue badge holders
• disabled tax class vehicle
• personal car used by a community health or care worker
• organisational shared cars (pool cars)
• school car used for home-to-school transport
• organisational shared cars (“pool cars”)
• unpaid carer
• frequent hospital patient
• disability benefit claimant
• school student with Special Educational Needs (SEN)
• firefighters
• Hackney carriage or private hire vehicle (HCV or PHV)
• car clubs
• business car used as a goods vehicle
• personal car used as goods vehicle
• approved driving instructor
• hearse or funeral car
• central permit area sports clubs, nurseries or military training.

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Oxfordshire County Council and St. Modwen, the master developer for the Kingsgrove housing development, have worked together to construct the new route that extends between the A417 east of Wantage, and the A338 north of Wantage. This provides easier travel for both residents of the Kingsgrove housing development and visitors to the area.

A three-metre wide path for walking and cycling runs along the length of the road, while the original entrance to the Kingsgrove development is now for pedestrians, cyclists and buses only.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “Wantage is a historic market town that has seen, and will continue to see, significant growth in much-needed new homes and associated community facilities. The need for this scheme was established long before planning approval was obtained, and I am delighted that the entire route is now open.

“King Alfred Way will encourage active travel through the provision of high-quality pedestrian and cycle facilities, together with opportunities for travel by bus. It is also expected to help reduce congestion and noise levels, and improve air quality, within Wantage town centre.

“The opening of the road is reflective of the commitment, hard work and successful collaboration between the county council and St Modwen – together with suppliers working on behalf of both parties.”

Thomas Snell, Development Manager at St. Modwen, said: "We’re incredibly proud to have played a central role in delivering the new road, a project that not only enhances local infrastructure but also supports our growing Kingsgrove community.

“By improving connectivity and prioritising sustainable travel options, this road reflects our commitment to creating thriving, future-ready places where people can live, work, and enjoy their surroundings.”

Officially opened by Olly Glover, MP for Wantage and Didcot and Councillor Iain Cameron, Deputy Mayor of Wantage, the link’s new title – King Alfred Way – commemorates Wantage’s royal history. The name pays tribute to King Alfred the Great, who was born in Wantage in 849, and who is the inspiration for the name of the Kingsgrove community – referencing Alfred’s apple orchards, which once covered the area.

Olly Glover, MP for Wantage and Didcot said: “Residents in Wantage and beyond have been eagerly awaiting the opening of this road for some time, following some delays. I am pleased to see it open and hope it will be of benefit to all road users in the coming months and years.”

Ends

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The road, north of Wardington, was closed by Oxfordshire County Council on Monday after the sinkhole appeared in the centre of the carriageway. Emergency diversion routes were immediately put into place.

Following visits to the site by inspectors, the council’s contractors are planning to begin repair work today. It is hoped that the road can be opened and the repairs completed by the end of the month, depending on what is found once water is pumped out and excavation work starts.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This is an extremely busy road, which is why we have made it a priority to have a repair programme in place within days.

“We will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so. We hope this will be by the end of December but, unfortunately, there are no guarantees when it comes to work of this nature. In the meantime, we would urge motorists to follow the diversion routes that are in place to ensure everyone’s safety.”

The suggested diversion route is between A423 Southam Road and the A425 Daventry Road.

It is believed that the sinkhole is a result of the recent flooding of the River Cherwell, causing washout of fill to affect a brick water pipe (culvert) running under the road. The most recent inspection of the culvert by the council’s highways teams, carried out before the flooding, showed no cause for concern in the culvert’s condition.

The washed out material has blocked the watercourse, submerging the culvert. The water will be pumped out to enable the culvert to be inspected, so that the full extent of required repairs can be determined.

The culvert may need to be temporarily replaced by a pipe to enable the sinkhole to be backfilled and the road reopened while a longer term repair is planned.

Cllr Gant added: “This is a pretty stark example of the kind of pressure our large and rural road network is experiencing from extreme weather. I am very grateful to our officers and contractors for getting out on site as soon as possible to put a plan in place for mitigation and repair.”

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An electric car club pilot scheme has proved so popular that 15 vehicles are set to remain in place at more than 10 new and existing locations around the county, following the end of the 18 month trial period.

Since the pilot scheme was launched in April 2023, it has attracted over new 1,200 members, seen over 5,200 individual hiring sessions and led to more than a quarter of a million electric miles being driven.

The scheme has been coordinated by Oxfordshire County Council and is supported by Oxford City Council and Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire district councils who have hosted the pilot vehicles in their car parks. The vehicles have been provided and operated by hire companies Co Wheels, Enterprise CarClub and Zimbl.

The success of the extended trial scheme means that car club vehicles are set to continue in the following locations:

• Abingdon – Cattle Market and West St Helen Street car parks (Co Wheels)
• Banbury – Calthorpe Street West and Windsor Street car parks (Zimbl)
• Bicester – Claremont car park (Zimbl)
• Eynsham – Back Lane car park (Co Wheels)
• Henley – Greys Road car park (Co Wheels)
• Oxford – Redbridge and Seacourt Park and Rides (Co Wheels and Zimbl)
• Wallingford – Cattlemarket car park (Co Wheels)
• Witney – Woodford Way car park (Enterprise CarClub).

New car club vehicles are also set to be introduced at these new locations:

• Chipping Norton – New Road car park (Zimbl)
• Woodstock – Hensington Road car park (Zimbl)
• Thame – Upper High Street (Co Wheels).

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “The popularity of the EV car clubs has led to the continuation of the schemes in many places, meaning even more residents and businesses can try out these shared cars for themselves.

“Car clubs give people the chance to use an EV when they need one, without the expense of owning or leasing one outright. They can make it much more affordable for people who don’t drive every day and provide real-world experience of driving electric without a long-term commitment.”

It is estimated that a successful car club vehicle can take on average 20 individually owned cars – often petrol or diesel vehicles – off the road.

EVs in the scheme can be hired from £5.95 per hour, including insurance, plus 12p per electric mile.

If demand for car clubs continues and funding can be identified, then it’s likely more car club locations will be introduced within the next few years. Residents can submit locations where they would like to car clubs using Oxfordshire County Council’s EV charger and car club demand tracker.

Updated details about the EV car club pilot and where your nearest car club location is can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council website.

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Oxfordshire County Council and its highways maintenance contractor, Milestone Infrastructure, have worked hard to ensure that the county’s roads keep moving and stay safe when the colder weather hits – as it did earlier this week – while also reducing long-term costs and environmental impacts.

The new salt barn at the Deddington highways depot, near Banbury, was built by Ryebridge Construction on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council. The barn keeps road salt in the optimum conditions for spreading, both avoiding wastage and ensuring that the salt is more effective, so smaller quantities can be used.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We are committed to keeping our network of major roads free from ice and snow to minimise the risk of accidents and ensure the smooth flow of traffic. This investment in new equipment and skills demonstrates how serious we are about it.”

The new Deddington barn can hold 2,800 tonnes of road salt, enough to grit over 23,333km of roads. The roof is fitted with solar panels, generating approximately 50kw power for the grid.

With the completion of the salt barn project, there is now no uncovered road salt stored in Oxfordshire, putting the county ahead of many other local authorities. Oxfordshire has a 5,500 tonne capacity salt barn at the Drayton highways depot, near Abingdon, which was opened in 2018, and a 2,200 tonne capacity barn sited at the Woodcote winter depot in south Oxfordshire.

With more than 10,000 tonnes of salt stored across the county, the council's winter maintenance team is more prepared than ever.

Oxfordshire’s winter preparations have also been boosted by the arrival of a new fleet of gritting vehicles, consisting of 16 26 tonne trucks, 11 18 tonne vehicles, two 7.5 tonne trucks and one 3.5 tonne ‘baby gritter’, to treat very narrow roads and the park and rides. In total, 30 vehicles are stationed at three winter depots across the county, ready for when the temperatures drop.

The winter service crew of 60 highly skilled drivers have all undertaken familiarisation sessions to get them used to the new trucks and some drivers have also completed additional skid pan training at a specialist training centre in Hampshire.

Richard Lovewell, Milestone Infrastructure Business Director said: “Keeping Oxfordshire’s roads safe and mobile throughout the winter is a top priority for Milestone. With Oxfordshire County Council, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to ensure that the county is well prepared, no matter what the weather holds.

“With the new salt barn and gritter fleet, over 10,000 tonnes of salt in stock and 60 expert drivers on standby across the county, we’re all set for when the temperatures drop. Thanks to all the staff who have gone above and beyond to ensure we are ‘winter ready’ and especially to those who go out every year in challenging conditions to keep our network moving.”

Oxfordshire County Council salts approximately 42 per cent of Oxfordshire’s road network, one of the highest rates in the country.

While Oxford City Council looks after the gritting inside the Oxford ring road, Oxfordshire County Council has responsibility for the rest of the county – including all A roads, B roads and some C roads, apart from the M40, A43 and A34, which are covered by National Highways.

Gritter drivers treat 26 routes across the county in each gritting session, covering over 3,500km in total, of which 1,960km (1,200 miles) are salted – that’s the equivalent of travelling from London to Iceland.

Cllr Gant added: “While we make great efforts to keep roads clear in winter, drivers must never assume that a road will be free from ice and should adjust their driving to suit the conditions. If you do find yourself behind one of our gritter lorries, which are restricted to 30mph when they are carrying out their work, please be patient and considerate – remember that they are there to keep you safe.”

Last winter, which was relatively mild, the gritters were sent out 25 times between November 2023 and March 2024, with around 4,523 tonnes of salt spread on Oxfordshire's roads. The average number of treatments over the past six years is 37.

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The council is creating the habitat, along with installing mammal culverts and an otter tunnel, as part of the construction of the south westerly section of the road. It will be on land set aside for a flood compensation area and will have the added benefit of improving flood resilience for local buildings and roads by holding excess water.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “The wetland habitat is going to increase biodiversity hugely. It will attract a whole range of wildlife, provide food for foraging birds and small mammals as well as flowers for insects in the spring. It will also offer cover for nesting birds and shelter for hibernation.

“Access to the wildlife wetland area will be open to the public, so local residents will be able to enjoy walking along gravel paths and watching as it matures over time."

The area will be planted with a mix of meadow grassland, semi mature native trees including black alder, silver birch and Scots pine and shrubs such as elder, wild privet, blackthorn and hawthorn. The species will complement existing habitats with some species able to tolerate wetter conditions around the flood compensation area.

Wildlife-friendly structures – eight precast concrete culvert boxes with integral mammal shelves – have now been craned and secured into place beneath the new road layout. The new culverts will drain water away from the road during heavy rainfall and flooding and the mammal shelves have been set into the side walls of the culvert at a higher level to provide a safe passage for badgers and other wildlife.

A precast concrete pipe for an otter tunnel has also been placed adjacent to Elm Bridge and Lady Brook, again set in at a higher ground level than the existing brook, to allow mammals to safely move around the area when the brook is flooded.

Councillor Roberts added: “These specialised construction elements used on this scheme, will help reduce our impact on the environment and provide mammals with refuge during extreme weather events.”

Ecological surveys conducted in late November 2023 as well as back in 2021, found badgers, otters and water voles in the vicinity, alongside red kites, bats and other birds.

Richard Stonehouse, Contracts Manager at Milestone Infrastructure, said: “Milestone is proud to be working alongside Oxfordshire County Council to help protect wildlife and provide a new wetland habitat. We understand the impact that road improvement works can have but our aim is to improve the overall local biodiversity.

“That’s why we have carefully designed and created the mammal culverts and otter tunnel, and we hope that the new wetland habitat will be enjoyed by local residents and wildlife alike.”

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Oxfordshire County Council, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS), the University of Oxford and Thames Valley Police (TVP) are teaming up to hold the Vision Zero safety event in Broad Street on Monday 4 November from 10am - 7pm.

Visitors will be able to explore a range of stalls offering safety advice and information, aimed at helping to protect the most vulnerable road users. Once darkness starts to fall, OFRS and TVP will carry out their ‘Be Bright Be Seen’ operations, educating cyclists putting themselves and others at risk by riding without lights.

Andy Ford, Road Safety Manager at Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, said: “There are many reasons why cyclists and pedestrians can become involved in road collisions. However, by ensuring they have lights, and wear bright clothing, we can easily improve their visibility to other road users and reduce the risk they will be hit by drivers.”

The Be Bright Be Seen campaign stand will be open throughout the event, offering free bike lights and hi-viz clothing, while the community policing teams will be giving away free bike locks and offering bike safety and security advice, and information about the laws around e-scooters and e-bikes.

Cycling campaign group Cyclox will be there, as well as an HGV, supplied by Huws Gray, to help people to understand where blind spots occur in the cab.

There will also be innovative cycle safety systems on display, such as the FHOSS cycle lane and the Oxford Robotics Institute RobotBike which is carrying out trials in Oxford to monitor safety in overtaking cyclists, as well as information about cycle training.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Vision Zero is our ambition to eliminate deaths and serious injuries on Oxfordshire’s roads by 2050. No person should be killed or seriously injured as the result of a road collision, whatever mode of transport they are using.

“Education is a key part of this, whether you’re a motorist, a cyclist, or a pedestrian – or all three. So, it’s great to see so many organisations coming together in Broad Street to share advice and information that could help prevent lives from being lost on our roads.”

The University of Oxford will be providing a mobile mechanic from 10am - 4pm to carry out cycle safety checks and minor repairs for all visitors on a first come first served basis. The service is free, but users will have to pay for any parts.

Dr David Prout, Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Oxford, said: “The cyclists, scooter users and pedestrians being hurt on the roads are our friends, colleagues, students and family members; every death or injury is a tragedy that could and should have been prevented.

“Our goal is streets that are truly safe for everyone, and to reach it we need the whole community to work together, from individuals and families to the councils, universities and emergency services. We hope this event makes a real difference to keeping people out of harm's way, no matter how they choose to get around Oxford.”

Sergeant Pete Neale of the Oxford Central Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Thames Valley Police, in partnership with our local agencies, is dedicated to making bike safety more accessible and promoting safer riding habits in our community.

“Officers from the Neighbourhood Team will be present at the event to educate cyclists on best practices for safe riding. Additionally, we’ll be offering advice and providing security equipment to help protect bikes and reduce the risk of theft.”

The Broad Street event comes shortly after the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, published a road safety strategy to reduce deaths on the roads in the region, including Oxfordshire.

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The archaeological investigations were undertaken of behalf of Oxfordshire County Council in preparation for the new A34 interchange at Lodge Hill.  Discoveries included deeply buried sediments from the area’s ancient river systems dating back to the Middle Pleistocene period and some flint tools, reflecting early human presence from this era.

Experts from Oxford Archaeology, commissioned by the councils’ contractor, Balfour Beatty, dug 16 trial trenches, 12 test pits and two boreholes. The work was part of a planning condition to explore any potential archaeological remains and any ancient sediments that would be affected by the new interchange. 

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: Archaeological investigations like this are an important part of the process of delivering construction schemes. They help us identify and understand past features and residents of the area and record them for future generations. 

“Oxfordshire has a fascinating history – not just its people, but its geology too. These remains offer a glimpse into the ancient ecosystems that existed here during the interglacial periods.”

 Excavations found evidence of the Lodge Hill Channel, an ancient river system that crosses the site in a southwest to northeast direction. This channel, which is buried beneath a younger layer of gravel, has silty sediments up to 5m deep in places, with remains of ancient fossil material such as snail shells, fish bones and plant matter in its deeper parts. A piece of a Palaeolithic flint handaxe was also found from deposits that directly overlap the ancient channel fill.   

The channel deposits at Lodge Hill are probably part of the same river system as similar deposits found nearby, also in north Abingdon, where Sugworth Lane crosses the A34. The Sugworth Lane deposits have been recognised as of national significance for their fossil faunal remains, which contains an extinct species of vole.

Although no major archaeological remains were identified in the trenches, a few flint artefacts were also found that reflect later prehistoric human activity at the site. Three worked flints were found, probably from the Neolithic to Bronze Age periods.  

The archaeological evaluation also revealed a few undated features, including two small pits, a linear ditch, and a series of postholes, likely of post-medieval or modern origin, along with quantities of Roman pottery and medieval tile fragments. 

Carl Champness, Project Manager for Oxford Archaeology said: “The discovery of a rare lower-middle age handaxe and the interglacial channel deposits at Lodge Hill dating between 600,000-500,000 years ago may provide new insights into a lost landscape. This is only the start of the story, and we hope planned further investigation and detailed analysis of these remains, will help enhance our understanding of the early occupation of Britain.” 

Francis Wenban-Smith of University of Southampton, Palaeolithic specialist for Oxford Archaeology, said: “These are very exciting finds. Artefactual evidence of this period is exceptionally rare in the Upper Thames landscape north of the Goring Gap. The presence of flint tools gives an insight into the mobility of these ancient humans, since flint raw material would not have been available at the site. The human species involved was probably Homo heidelbergensis, who were the ancestor of the Neanderthals, and who periodically occupied Britain in warmer climatic episodes between c. 800,000 and 400,000 years ago.” 

Image provided courtesy of Oxford Archaeology

Image 1 shows the Lower/Middle Palaeolithic handaxe identified in the North drift gravel deposits in Test Pit 21 

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A new shuttle service will be provided for people affected by the re-routing of buses due to the weight restriction on Donnington Bridge Road in Oxford.

Oxfordshire County Council will use its own minibus fleet to provide the off-peak shuttle service – the 46A – from Mondays to Fridays, starting on Monday 14 October.

This will comprise four return journeys between Cowley Centre, Florence Park, Donnington Bridge and Speedwell Street in Oxford city centre to provide some connectivity for essential travel between 10.30am and 2.30pm.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “The absence of buses on Donnington Bridge Road for essential safety reasons has been a huge inconvenience for people in this area who rely on public transport, especially those who find it difficult to walk longer distances to use alternative bus services.

“Our officers have worked hard to try to alleviate some of the problems and we’re delighted to be able to unveil this shuttle service to connect passengers with the places they need to be.

“By using the council’s own vehicles when they are not in use elsewhere, we are able to reduce the costs involved, improving value for money.”

The 7.5 tonne weight limit was imposed by the county council on Donnington Bridge in August after ongoing monitoring revealed that the condition of materials in the structure required further assessment.

As a result, it was no longer possible for three bus routes – the 46, BB1A and ST1 – to operate via Weirs Lane and Donnington Bridge Road.

This lack of bus services between Iffley Road and Abingdon Road meant that direct connections to shops at Cowley Centre and medical and leisure facilities on Abingdon Road have been broken. To improve this situation, the shuttle journeys will be timed to connect to service 46 journeys at Cowley Centre.

The council’s fleet of minibuses provide transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and adult day centres but are available on weekdays between 10am and 2pm to provide this shuttle service. Timetables will be available from the usual online journey planners and at bus stops in due course.

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The automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) camera will be used to fine motor vehicles making the prohibited manoeuvre.

Despite the existing restriction, many motorists are still turning left, which increases road safety risks to other vehicles and road users.

Cyclists will continue to be permitted to make this left turn.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management said: “This is an extra measure to help improve safety at The Plain for all road users, especially the most vulnerable such as pedestrians and cyclists.

“This is a very busy roundabout and the banned left turn is a road safety hazard, which increases the risks for all road users. There was a good deal of support for the installation of a camera to deter this.”

Motor vehicles will continue to be required to drive around The Plain and then take the Iffley Road exit.

Motorists who contravene the restriction will receive a £70 penalty charge notice, discounted to £35 if paid within 21 days.

The camera is being funded by the council’s Vision Zero programme, set up to reduce road safety incidents and eliminate deaths and serious injuries from road traffic collisions across Oxfordshire by 2050.

The decision to install the ANPR camera was made by Cllr Gant in October 2023.

Safety measures at The Plain were prompted by the death of a cyclist in March 2022, which led to improvements in November 2022 as well as loading restrictions in 2023.

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Four parish councillors are the latest recruits helping to fix problems on the county’s roads more quickly.

The Kidlington parish council volunteers received their training – and cans of spray paint to mark up defects – from Oxfordshire County Council last month to become Fix My Street ‘super users’.

They are among about 150 super users across the county trained to inspect potholes, blocked drains and damaged kerbing since the pilot scheme started in 2019. And the search is on for more.

All residents are encouraged to report road or street problems on Fix My Street, which can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website. But super users can sometimes fast-track the process instances by ordering the defect repairs directly with our contractor.

Councillor Lesley McLean, Leader of Kidlington Parish Council, said: “Enrolling as Fix My Street super users is an ideal way of increasing community involvement in areas that will improve our village. There is huge public interest in fixing potholes and unblocking drains, and now our members can use their local knowledge and contacts to target the county council’s resources where they are needed most.

“Our residents can be reassured that the report they make on Fix My Street will be prioritised through local super users, where the criteria is met. We look forward to getting stuck in with our spray cans and doing our bit to make our roads safer.”

The super user volunteers are only expected to cover their local area on mainly residential or quieter roads, not A-roads, and only when it is safe to do so. All equipment and training is provided.

Although county council highways officers inspect their areas regularly, additional help from local people increases the number of defects that can be repaired and makes the process more efficient.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “I am constantly in awe of the work that volunteers do in our county, and I am incredibly grateful for the time and effort the Fix My Street super users put in to make our highways teams aware of problems on the roads.

“Their local knowledge, enthusiasm and hard work are helping us to resolve potholes, kerbing and drainage issues more quickly and efficiently. I would like to thank them for their efforts and invite more people to join them in improving the situation on the streets where they live.”

Any residents or organisations wanting to become Fix My Street super users should email volunteercoordinationteam@Oxfordshire.gov.uk for more information.

The Fix My Street super users are among the initiatives that form part of the county council’s Oxfordshire Together (OXTOG) programme of volunteers.

Other volunteering opportunities include road sign cleaning, maintaining public rights of way, school crossing patrols, managing salt bins, providing community transport, or joining one of the county’s more than 100 community action groups.

Details about OXTOG are available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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More than 200 requests to reduce speed limits to 20mph in towns and villages have now been approved in Oxfordshire.

Yesterday, 25 applications were given the go ahead by Oxfordshire County Council, including ones in the towns of Banbury, Thame and Wallingford. It takes the total number of approved 20mph schemes in the county to 214 since the project began in 2022.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This is an incredible landmark and I want to thank all the communities who have been in touch with us, asking to make their residential streets safer and more pleasant places.

“Throughout the delivery of this programme we have been clear about the advantages it brings. You are seven times more likely to survive if you are hit by a car driving at 20mph than if you are hit at 30mph.

“Reducing speeds in residential areas is a vital pillar of our commitment to Vision Zero – our ambition to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from road traffic collisions in Oxfordshire by 2050.”

The latest areas to have their applications approved by Cllr Gant at a decision-making meeting also included Appleford, Appleton with Eaton, Berinsfield, Brize Meadow, Buscot and Buscot Wick, Chadlington, Culham, Ducklington, East Hagbourne, Fernham, Freeland, Fyfield and Tubney, Horley, Kelmscott, Little Wittenham, Middleton Stoney, Northmoor, Shipton-on-Cherwell, Souldern, Sibford Gower, Tiddington and West Hendred.

Decisions on more than 30 other applications are set to be made in the future.

Unlike the approach taken in Wales, where the 30mph limit was changed by default to 20mph in built-up areas, the Oxfordshire rollout has been led by residents in the towns and villages and each scheme has been tailored to local needs.

In fact, the Welsh approach has now been revised and is much closer to Oxfordshire’s, with much greater local input from councils into whether, and how, speed limits should be changed.

To be eligible for 20mph in Oxfordshire, an application must initially be supported by each affected town or parish council and the local county councillor.

A public consultation then takes place, with opportunities for people to influence the design and the adoption of the scheme within the constraints of the approved 20mph policy and guidance.

Once the remaining schemes are implemented across the county, a period of monitoring and evaluation will take place to assess the effectiveness of the measures, and any locations where further intervention may be beneficial to ensure the outcomes of the project are achieved.

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Five primary schools in Oxford and Didcot will have their school streets programme supported by the use of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. The decision was made at an Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member meeting on 5 September 2024.

The schools have been trialling the school streets concept, which involves timed road closures with volunteers operating pop-up gates close to school entrances at school start and finish times. The aim is to reduce the volume of motor vehicles during school drop-off and pick-up times creating a safer environment for children, parents, and teachers to walk or cycle to school.

During October and November,  ANPR cameras will be installed at the school street entry points to help operate the scheme consistently without reliance on a volunteer team. The cameras will operate only during set school drop-off and pick-up times, on school days only and covering only the entry point.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “School streets are a simple but very effective way to help make it easier for the school community to start and finish the school day feeling safer, more confident and healthy.

“It’s also a hugely positive thing that schools are supporting their families even further to get the most out of the school journey with other opportunities such as walking buses and park and stride – which allows people who need to drive for longer or more complex journeys to park nearby and enjoy the social benefits of walking or wheeling for the last leg of the school run.” 

“As a highway authority we have a responsibility to improve how people can get about the county, together with a duty to reduce our impacts on the environment and make it better for everyone. We have learned from the school streets scheme so far that generally school communities enjoy the welcoming atmosphere of the school street and residents are seeing less of traffic impacting how they enjoy their neighbourhood and access their homes. I am incredibly proud of our local schools helping us strive to make Oxfordshire the best it can be and look forward to the continued success of the school streets.” 

The schools are:

• St Mary and St John Church of England Primary School, Oxford
• Sandhills Community Primary School, Oxford
• Tyndale Community (Primary) School, Oxford
• New Hinksey Church of England Primary School, Oxford, and
• Manor Primary School, Didcot.

Residents and businesses in the school street locations will receive letters on how to apply for their vehicle exemptions and when their school street ANPR cameras will become operational. Oxfordshire County Council’s school street webpages also provide a full of list of exempt vehicles – which includes residents, local businesses, blue badge holders and carers – and details on how to register an exemption.

Notes to editors

• More information about school streets:

• Full report to cabinet.
•  Local Transport and Connectivity Plan.
• Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure plan.
• School streets (including details of existing school street locations and operating times, and exemptions).

• ANPR cameras are triggered by vehicles (not people) entering a set trigger area – in which case they photograph the vehicle’s licence/ registration plate details, and an automatic notice is issued if that registration is not on the school street’s exempted list. They do not record continuously. 
• School streets are a part of the vision set out in Oxfordshire County Council’s Local Transport and Connectivity Plan to deliver a net-zero Oxfordshire transport and travel system that enables the county to thrive while protecting the environment and making Oxfordshire a better place to live for all residents. 
• Four primary schools in the county previously trialled their phase one school streets with the support of Oxfordshire County Council under the UK government’s active travel initiative since 2021. Larkrise, St Ebbe’s and Windmill schools in Oxford and St Nicolas school in Abingdon were the first schools in the county to successfully implement permanent school streets. They trialled volunteer-led pop-up gates before progressing to ANPR use. 
 

For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

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The anticipated start date is Monday 9 September.

The first closure will be in place between the Sir Geoffrey Arthur building and Marlborough Road on the Grandpont side of the riverbank. The opposite bank on the City/Friars Wharf side and the Gasworks Pipe footbridge will be unaffected.

Following completion of the Grandpont works, a second set of closures will come into force from late October, as work takes place along the towpath from Folly Bridge south to Donnington Bridge.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This work forms part of our commitment to invest in the county’s blue-green infrastructure and it will safeguard this towpath for many years to come.

“We realise how popular this towpath is but the safety of users and workers is our priority and so we ask people to be patient and observe the closure.”

A combination of signed diversionary routes and local towpath width reductions at the work areas for both sites will be in place until the repairs are completed.

The repair work is aimed at restoring damaged stretches of towpath along the river and safeguarding the riverbank.

It will involve the use of machinery and extensive reconstruction, which is why the towpath must remain closed. For their own safety, people are asked to adhere to the signed diversions and observe obstructions along sections with width restrictions.

It is hoped that the towpath will fully reopen soon after this work is completed, which is expected to be the beginning of February 2025.

However, it is possible that the dates may have to change due to severe weather or other constraints affecting the works.

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Construction will take place overnight, on weekdays only, with one lane of the M40 southbound being closed. During the day the lane will be reopened and the southbound slip road will have a temporary 50 mile per hour speed limit. 

The finished work will improve traffic flow in the local area, reduce pollution and improve safety at the junction The upgrades are needed to help the road network accommodate increased traffic from housing developments. 

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “The project is designed to increase the capacity of the A43 Padbury roundabout, improve the safety of the slip road and help to prepare the M40 junction 10 as planned new housing is built in the area. 

“When finished, these improvements should help residents, commuters and business travellers move more quickly and safely through the area.” 

The work will involve: 

• widening the existing nearside M40 junction 10 southbound off slip on the immediate approach to the roundabout to accommodate three running lanes; and 
• changing the junction to have all approaches controlled by smart traffic signals. 

Traffic management

The southbound slip approach road of the M40 will be closed every weekday night between 9.30pm and 6am. Drivers will be diverted to junction nine and back. 

The A43 will also need to be closed periodically overnight, with confirmed dates available on the National Highways and county council websites nearer the time. 

During all road closures, fully signed diversion routes will be put in place. Drivers should update their satellite navigation systems to receive the latest information and follow all diversion signs as they travel through the area. 

All lanes will be open and functioning as normal throughout the day between 6.30am and 9.30pm. The road will not be closed during any major events in the area. 

Construction will finish in spring 2025. 

Ends

For more information about this release contact Oxfordshire County Council’s communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk 

Notes to editors

The project is being funded by Housing and Growth Deal with National Highways delivering the work on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council.

From Wednesday 14 August work started to prepare the construction area and compounds. There will be no traffic management until Wednesday 28 August.

Details of this work and the associated traffic management have been added to https://one.network/. Satellite navigation systems (SAT-NAV) extract information from this website and then display updates on road closures which help when planning journeys. Some SAT-NAVs will require drivers to manually update them first. 

More information can be found online at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/m40-junction10 and 
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/travel-updates/road-closure-report/ 

Diversions will be in place between 8pm on Friday 2 August and 6am on Monday 5 August while the roundabout is closed.

Motorists are asked to be aware of the closure and to use the suggested alternative routes.

There will be no travel along the eastern bypass between the Heyford Hill roundabout and the B480 Cowley Road interchange in both directions during the closure.

Westbound traffic travelling along the eastern bypass will be reduced from dual carriageway to a single lane, with traffic then taken off at the B480 Cowley interchange to join the signed diversion route.

Eastbound traffic travelling along the eastern bypass will be subject to a similar lane closure as well as a speed reduction, so traffic arrives at the Heyford Hill roundabout in a single lane at safer speeds. From there, traffic will be diverted around the diversion route.

The Sandy Lane West slip road will also be closed where it joins the eastern bypass heading west towards Littlemore roundabout.

Bus companies will still operate a service between Sandford-on-Thames into the city. This will utilise Oxford Road, Cowley Road, and Church Cowley Road before resuming its usual route.

Arrangements are in place for residents in the affected area to continue to access their homes while the closure is in place.

By carrying out the work over a single 24/7 closure, the resurfacing can be completed quicker and more cost effectively with as little disruption as possible.

There will be separate crews working both day and night to ensure continuous working throughout.

The alternative approach would have seen the work taking place over 11 separate nights of closures, causing more disruption to residents and businesses, increasing the cost, and leading to a potentially poorer standard of work due to more opportunities for water to enter the road surface.

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Work will begin on Saturday 27 July at the London Road site and is expected to continue until 1 October 2024.

The park and ride will remain open although parking capacity will be reduced from 1,335 spaces to about 600.

Bus stops for services to the city centre and Oxford’s hospitals will be moved to the main car park so that repairs can be carried out at the existing bus turning circle. The main car park will not be open to park in, with exception of the disabled parking bays.

The terminal building, with toilets, coffee kiosk and waiting area, will remain open during this period.

Updates on the situation, including messages about queueing traffic, will be shown on the electronic display boards around the city.

The city’s four other park and ride sites will be unaffected while the work is carried out at Thornhill.

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Residents and businesses have shown incredible patience with more than a year of disruption to their lives because of this project, which has already had its timetable altered twice before and seen its closure dates extended. We have expressed our deep dissatisfaction to Network Rail and to the Department for Transport about this.

The launch of the council’s traffic filters trial planned to start in November is now in question, with various options being considered as a result. The trial aims to tackle Oxford’s chronic congestion problems and dramatically improve bus journey times. We are calling on and working with Network Rail to find an acceptable solution to this situation quickly.

The council remains incredibly supportive of improvements to the rail station for Oxford with improved capacity for passengers and freight, which is vital for the development of projects such as East West Rail.

In the meantime, we will continue to do all we can to work with partners to minimise the impact on the rest of the road network.

The combined ticket, which offers parking for 16 hours plus return bus travel, will stay at £4 for a car with one adult or £5 for a car with two adults until April 2025. With both options, up to three children under 16 can travel for free.

Joint ticketing, which is now a permanent feature at the five park and ride sites, was introduced by Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach in 2022.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Oxford’s park and rides are the cheapest and most convenient way for drivers to get into the city centre, as well as other locations such as Oxford’s hospitals, Oxford Brookes University, Headington, Summertown and Wheatley.

“Joint ticketing has proved to be extremely popular and it is great news that the prices are staying the same for another year. More people on the buses means fewer cars on the road, less congestion and less pollution.”

Users will be able to take advantage of the rollout of 159 cleaner, state of the art electric buses serving the city, thanks to a multi-million-pound deal involving the county council, the bus companies and the government.

Passengers are also expected to see bus journey times reduced once a traffic filter trial on six roads in Oxford begins in November 2024.

Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company Managing Director, said: “Oxford's park and rides are a key part of the city's transport network and essential to helping reduce congestion in the city. It is great that in Oxford, key stakeholders are continuing to work in partnership to make bus travel as attractive as possible to further reduce congestion and improve air quality.

“We have significantly invested in a new fleet of electric buses and look forward to the introduction of traffic filters, which collectively help towards the overall goal. Freezing park and ride tickets to encourage people to make more sustainable travel choices in the meantime is great news and will be welcomed by our passengers.”

Karen Coventry, Commercial and Marketing Director for Stagecoach West, said: “Anything we can do to encourage bus use over private car is of a huge benefit to us all, so we are delighted to see a freeze in the price of park and ride tickets for the coming year.

“Travelling by bus is by far one of the easiest behavioural switches we can make to improve air quality and protect our environment. With our EV buses due to join those already operating within the city centre this summer, it has never been a better time to forge new, greener habits.”

Councillor Louise Upton, Oxford City Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, said: “It is great news that the bargain-priced, combined parking and bus ticket offer has been extended at all of Oxford's park and ride car parks. It is a great example of working together to support cheaper travel in Oxford.

“The flexibility to stay up to 16 hours means that people working shifts or who are visiting the city until late in the evening can do so without worrying. Please do use the park and rides – hop on one of the new electric buses and take away the stress of trying to find a parking spot in the city centre.”

Oxford has five park and ride car parks around the edge of the city. Three are run by the city council and two by the county council:

• Oxford Parkway Park and Ride
• Pear Tree Park and Ride
• Redbridge Park and Ride
• Seacourt Park and Ride
• Thornhill Park and Ride

Drivers can buy a combined ticket through the RingGo parking app, or at one of the onsite ticket machines.

RingGo users can buy a combined virtual ticket through the app. Users are encouraged to download the RingGo app before arriving.

The joint ticket does not change the prices of parking only, annual, quarterly, or 28-day permit holders. Free parking remains for blue badge holders.

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From today (8 May) until Wednesday 5 June, Oxfordshire County Council is asking for people’s views on the Woodstock Road Sustainable Travel Improvements Scheme.

The council is proposing changing the travel direction of an existing bus lane, as well as a number of active travel improvements to help improve bus journey reliability and make the road safer for everyone using it.

The feedback gathered will help inform a county council cabinet decision on whether to approve the work.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “I encourage people to look at the proposals and help us understand the impact they’ll have. There is a clear link between active travel and improved physical and mental health. Children who walk or cycle to school will be healthier, have a more active social life, do better in the classroom and live longer. Sitting in a traffic jam harms everyone, inside and outside the car.

“Woodstock Road is used by many people travelling by bus, bike and on foot or with mobility aids, both from within Oxford and travelling to and from other areas. By investing now and providing space and facilities for making journeys other than travelling by car, we can better manage traffic in the coming years with planned growth and housing.”

The proposals cover the area between St Giles in Oxford city centre and the Wolvercote Roundabout (A40). The proposals are designed to work with other measures to improve and encourage journeys made by walking or wheeling, cycling and public transport.  

The project has two phases. Phase one involves a bus lane change, which proposes to remove part of the 24-hour southbound bus lane between Wolvercote (A40) and Squitchey Lane and replace it with a like-for-like northbound bus lane on the other side.

Phase two is focused on the southern end of the Woodstock Road and covers a series of active travel (cycling, walking and wheeling) priority measures for the Woodstock Road including:

• New and improved side road crossings.
• An extension of the shared use, off-road cycle path on the western side of Woodstock Road.
• The installation of solar studs along cycle lanes throughout Woodstock Road to improve visibility.
• A new zebra crossing on Woodstock Road between Observatory Street and Bevington Road.
• Localised sections of improvements to the condition of footway/off-road segregated cycle lanes.
• Various road marking amendments.
• A new full time bus stop clearway on the east side of the Woodstock Road.
• The relocation of a marked parking bay outside Belsyre Court.

People can take part in an online survey on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s Talk Oxfordshire. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Wednesday 5 June 2024.

Subject to approval by the council’s cabinet, the proposed works could start this summer.

The project is funded through the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal.

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A well-preserved wooden well of suspected late Bronze-Age date, was found recently during archaeological excavations at the site of Oxfordshire County Council's project to build the south-westerly section of the Benson Relief Road.

The excavation was undertaken by Oxford Archaeology working on behalf of the council. It uncovered the significant find during an archaeology ‘strip, map and sample’ exercise that was a planning condition for the scheme, to ensure any archaeological finds are recorded.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “This find gives fantastic insight into the area’s past land use. It is thought the well may have been used for agricultural irrigation purposes for settlements nearby.   Archaeological surveys like this are an important part of the process of delivering construction schemes. They help us identify and understand past residents of the area and record them for future generations. 

“Other evidence of Bronze Age activity has previously been identified in and around Benson and as far as Wallingford. The excavations undertaken as part of the Benson Relief Road help to further our understanding of this rich landscape and demonstrate how widespread the activity was.”

 John Boothroyd, Senior Project Manager at Oxford Archaeology, said: “When investigating what appeared to be a standard pit for the site, the archaeological team started exposing the remains of a preserved wooden post driven vertically into the ground.  Further excavation revealed that these posts formed the uprights of a wattle structure that lined the edge of the pit. Preservation of wooden structures from this period is rare and the remains have survived all this time, due to being buried in waterlogged ground.

 “Despite the extremely challenging conditions, the team were able to expose and fully record the well in the ground. The specialist soil samples that were collected will also help establish what the surrounding landscape would have been like, and the intensity to which it was settled, when the well was actively being used.”

The timber structure was digitally recorded before experts from Oxford Archaeology gently dismantled it by hand for removal. A sample of the preserved wood has been sent for further specialist recording that will identify the type of wood used, and if any evidence of the tools used to cut and shape the timbers can be determined.

Various other pieces of struck flint, animal bone and pottery used for storage and waste, were also found on site. The wood, along with the rest of the artefacts recovered from the site will be stored with the Oxfordshire Museum Service, and the results of the excavation published in a full report.

Images - provided courtesy of Oxford Archaeology

• Image 1 shows the well as it was being excavated
• Image 2 is a close-up of the well, showing the wattle structure

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Oxfordshire County Council has now formally entered into a grant funding agreement with Homes England to secure £17.33 million of infrastructure grant funding for the A34 Lodge Hill interchange scheme. This is the first scheme to enter into contract with Homes England for the provision of Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land (BIL) funding.

The county council has also entered into a contract with Balfour Beatty for the design and build of the scheme. Detailed design has already begun, with construction of the local traffic calming works and the layby upgrades to the A34 expected to start later this year. The main construction of the two new south-facing A34 slip roads is anticipated to start in autumn 2024, lasting approximately two years.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “The A34 Lodge Hill scheme will improve connectivity to and from the north of Abingdon, avoiding the town centre and making it easier for people to choose walking, cycling or taking public transport as part of their daily routine.

“Securing funding from Homes England and appointing a design and build contractor represents major milestones for the project, and the council is now in a strong position to accelerate towards construction. This project has been in development for a long time and is much needed and wanted by the residents of Abingdon.”

The council will work in partnership with Balfour Beatty to satisfy the planning conditions as soon as practicably possible, as well as work collaboratively with National Highways to agree the design and construction methodology, followed by construction of the new A34 slip roads.

Pauline Schaffer, Director of Infrastructure Funding at Homes England, said: “We are pleased to have now entered into contract with Oxfordshire County Council. Our multi-million pound funding will provide strategic transport infrastructure, unlocking 820 homes in north Abingdon and supporting wider housing and economic growth in the area.

“We are committed to working with ambitious local authority partners seeking to meet their local housing needs through delivery of key infrastructure.”

Matt Parkes, Project Director at Balfour Beatty, said: “We are pleased to be working alongside Oxfordshire County Council to bring the A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme to life. This important transport infrastructure project will support regional economic growth and on completion, will significantly improve connectivity and accessibility for local residents and the travelling public alike.”

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Oxfordshire County Council is planning to make minor changes near the junction to create a separate lane for vehicles travelling to the city centre, accompanied by more road markings. A two-lane northbound approach to the Church Cowley Road junction will be reinstated. This will include the removal of a small number of the cycle lane wands.

This follows local feedback and a review of recent accidents – several of which have involved a motor vehicle and a person cycling.

Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Environment and Place, said: “We are very concerned that there have been several serious road traffic collisions in this area. The works are an important safety action to protect road users and local residents in Rose Hill.

“The works are intended to improve the visibility of vulnerable road users, reduce incidents in this location, and address concerns that vehicles are using the adjacent Rose Hill slip road to bypass the junction.”

During the works it is expected that there will be a single lane closure on the road, therefore, they will be carried out in the evening to minimise disruption.

These works form a part of wider highways review and safety improvements being carried out through the city and county, and the location will continue to be closely monitored. There are no other changes proposed near the junction as part of these works.

Ends

For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Oxfordshire County Council and its contractor Milestone Infrastructure Ltd will be visiting more than 50 locations between 8 April and 3 June to carry out surface dressing work. The programme is part-funded by the government, with £2.629 million coming from the Department for Transport’s road resurfacing fund.

Around one million square metres of carriageway will be treated, making it the biggest surface dressing programme undertaken in Oxfordshire for at least 20 years.

Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s Corporate Director for Environment and Place, said: “We know how important the quality of our roads is to our residents and this significant programme of work will help keep many miles of highways in a better condition for years to come.

“Surface dressing is one of the most cost-effective methods of roads maintenance and spring is the best time to start this programme of work. We would urge motorists to watch out for notifications of the work taking place and to drive carefully after it has been carried out.”

Driving too fast on a recently treated road can result in broken windscreens or chipped paintwork, as the friction from the tyres can dislodge loose chips. There is also an increased risk of skidding while the new chippings ‘bed in’.

For these reasons, an advisory speed limit of 20mph will be put in place. It is important to adhere to these low speeds until all warning signs have been removed.

Richard Lovewell, Business Director for Milestone’s Oxfordshire contract, said: “We’re proud to be embarking on Oxfordshire’s biggest programme of this kind in 20 years. Surface dressing is one of the best and most cost-efficient and sustainable way to extend the life of our county’s roads.

“Thanks to close collaboration with Oxfordshire County Council and our supply chain, we’ve planned the work in a way that minimises disruption and maximises efficiencies. We’ve also positioned Oxfordshire right at the start of the national surface dressing season.”

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said: “Motorists in Oxfordshire deserve safe, modern and smooth roads they can rely on. I’m delighted to see Oxfordshire County Council making good use of the £2.6m government funding we have provided to tackle potholes and keep motorists moving across the county.

“We’re taking decisive action to resurface roads and fix potholes by investing an extra £8.3 billion in the biggest ever funding increase for local road improvements, which is enough to resurface over 5,000 miles of roads across the country, and made possible by reallocated HS2 funding.”

Surface dressing involves applying bituminous emulsion on to the road as a binder. This is followed immediately by the application of chippings to dress the emulsion layer.

The method offers many advantages, including:

• Sealing the road surface to keep out water, one of the major causes of deterioration and potholes.
• Reducing the deterioration of the road surface.
• Restoring the necessary level of skid resistance to reduce skid-related traffic collisions.
• Enabling worn out road surfaces to last longer, increasing the time before structural maintenance is required.
• Maximising the cost effectiveness of limited highway maintenance budgets. 
• Minimising traffic disruption and congestion as large areas of roads – up to 100,000 square metres – can be treated in a single day.

The work is highly weather dependent and cannot be completed in wet conditions. Therefore, the earlier in the year it can be started, the more likely it can be completed with minimal disruptions.

Updated details about the programme, including a map showing where and when the work will be taking place, can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

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The first Respect our Workforce Week runs from 11 - 15 March. It is organised by campaign group Stamp it Out and is supported by Oxfordshire County Council, its highways contractor Milestone and has the backing of Thames Valley Police.

The past decade has seen a rise in reported incidents, with a minority of motorists or residents taking their frustration out on roadworkers over delays as improvements are made to the network.

In Oxfordshire, some workers have been confronted with a knife, racially abused, physically manhandled and even threatened with shooting.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “It is completely unacceptable for people to act in this way against those who are working in dangerous locations in all sorts of weather conditions to improve the condition of our roads.

“I was shocked to learn that 70 per cent of roadworkers are the victim of verbal or physical abuse every month, while half say they have been verbally abused in the last seven days. That’s why we are supporting the Respect our Workforce campaign and urge everyone to treat those working on our roads with common courtesy.”

Milestone has formed a roadworker safety group as part of its commitment to ensuring the health and safety of everyone working on the highways and created an app for employees to report verbal threats or assault.

Jim Daughton, Milestone Operations Director, said: “No one should face abuse simply for doing their job. At Milestone we are committed to ensuring the safety of everyone on the road network – and that includes our staff.

“Our teams are now equipped with body worn cameras and site CCTV is in place, where necessary. The message today is clear: abuse to highways operatives will not be tolerated.”

Kevin Robinson, Founder and Campaign Director of Stamp It Out, said: “Respect our Workforce Week marks a vital point in this campaign. It is not acceptable to abuse a doctor, nurse, teacher, or retailer worker, so why should those working on the public highway accept this too?”

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The trial features electric vehicles (EVs), which can be hired on an hourly or daily basis from district and city council owned car parks around the county. They are currently in place in Bicester, Banbury, Kidlington, Eynsham, Henley, Wallingford, Abingdon, Witney and Oxford.

The pilot has been organised by Oxfordshire County Council and supported by Oxford City Council, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire district councils to assess the demand. The vehicles are provided by hire companies Co Wheels, Zimbl, and Enterprise CarClub.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “I’m extremely pleased to see the positive response to EV car clubs in many of the towns and villages involved in the pilot. I welcome the extension to the scheme, which will mean even more residents and businesses can try out these shared cars for themselves.

“Car clubs can play a key role in reducing carbon emissions in Oxfordshire, as well as reducing the number of individual vehicles on our roads and helping people to reduce the cost of living. If you haven’t tried them out, now’s your chance.”

Since the start of the pilot, more than 500 new members have signed up to use the EV car clubs and the vehicles have been hired over 2,000 times.

It is estimated that a successful car club vehicle can take on average 20 individually owned cars – often petrol or diesel vehicles – off the road.

The continued success of the scheme is dependent on increasing use of the vehicles in the pilot, so residents are encouraged to make use of introductory offers available and try out their local vehicle while they can.  If the vehicles continue to be well used, some of the current sites could be considered as long term locations for car club EVs, and a wider rollout could also follow in other locations. 

Eynsham car club user, Lisa Hynes, said: “We have used the Co Wheels car in Eynsham and it’s been brilliant.

“It’s right in the centre of Eynsham and has meant that we haven’t needed to buy an additional car as we can use the Co Wheels car as and when we need it. We have really enjoyed driving an electric car too.”

EV car clubs give people the chance to use an EV when they need one, without the expense of owning or leasing one outright. Car clubs can make it much more affordable for people who don’t drive every day and provide real-world experience of driving electric without a long-term commitment.

EVs in the scheme can be hired from £5.95 per hour, including insurance, plus 12p per electric mile. Residents can make use of promotions, reduced membership and driving credit offers as part of the pilot scheme.

Updated details about where your nearest car club location is, and information about promotional offers, can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Lessons learned from the pilot will feed into a countywide car club strategy being developed by the county council later this year.

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From today (28 February) until Wednesday 27 March, Oxfordshire County Council is asking for people’s views on extending the cycle path on Garsington Road between Hollow Way and John Smith Drive on the southern side.

The council is proposing a new 200 metre stretch of cycleway, linking the existing sections, along with safer crossings. The feedback will help inform a county council cabinet decision on whether to approve the work.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “I encourage people to look at the proposals and help us understand the impact they’ll have. We believe change to travel and transport has a role to play in improving individual health and wellbeing. That’s why we’re working to make it easier, safer and more enjoyable to walk, wheel and cycle in Oxford and across the county, especially on some of our busiest routes.”

The proposals include replacing a crossing on the western side of Garsington Road/John Smith Drive Roundabout with a wider crossing with lights to give more space for people walking, wheeling, pushing prams or with bicycles; and installing a new crossing on the northern (Oxford Business Park entrance) and southern (John Smith Drive) arms of Garsington Road/John Smith Drive.

People can take part in an online survey on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Wednesday 27 March 2024.

Subject to approval by the council’s cabinet, the proposed works would be carried out in the summer ahead of the planned traffic filters trial..

The project is funded by the government’s Active Travel Fund and would provide pedestrians, people using mobility aids, cyclists and school children safer crossing facilities and priority through the area in line with the UK Highway Code.

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A conjoined planning and Orders (compulsory purchase order, side roads order and bridge scheme) public inquiry will take place at Bee House in Milton Park, and will sit for 22 days across a 12-week period.

Oxfordshire County Council will present evidence in support of its planning application and Orders for the scheme. If approved, the project would transform travel in the Didcot area for current and future residents as well as commuters. It would provide more sustainable travel options in and around Didcot, as well as reducing congestion in the surrounding villages and improving air quality and noise levels. It would enable more reliable journey times for buses and other vehicles, improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity, and support allocated housing and employment sites.

The sitting dates of the inquiry will be:

• 20 to 23 February
• 27 February to 1 March
• 26 to 28 March
• 16 to 19 April
• 23 to 26 April
• 8 to 10 May (set as reserve days)

Sessions will start at 10am Tuesday to Friday. Finish times are approximately 5pm Tuesday to Thursday, and 3pm on Fridays. Members of the public can attend the inquiry. For anyone who is unable to attend in person but would like to follow proceedings, each session will also be live streamed.

Following the inquiry, the government appointed inspector will draft a report and present it to the Secretaries of State (for Transport and for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities), who will make the final decision.

The link for live streaming the inquiry sessions will be published on the official public inquiry portal. 

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Twelve organisations are to share nearly £425,000 to help improve community transport in Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire County Council is awarding the grants, ranging from £700 to £135,000, to fund new vehicles, expand schemes, provide new services, offer administrative support and carry out surveys of potential passengers.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, pictured, said: “Most of us take it for granted that we will be able to get to the places we need to. However, when people can’t drive or access public transport, they can be stranded.

“That’s why Oxfordshire’s active and diverse community transport sector is such a lifeline to so many people. From small volunteer car schemes to larger minibus schemes offering timetabled services, we are incredibly grateful to all those who work so hard to keep our residents mobile.

“We know these grants will make a big difference to all these organisations and help them to continue the fantastic work they are doing.”

The recipients are West Oxfordshire Community Transport; Uffington, Baulking and Woolstone (UBW) Minibus; The Villager Community Bus; CAWNAC (Oxfordshire) Volunteer Driver Service; Daybreak Oxford; Readibus; Shrivenham/Bourton/Watchfield/Longcot Parish Councils; Wallingford Town Council; Wantage & District Community Transport Community Interest Company (CIC); Chinnor Village Centre; First & Last Mile CIC; Watlington Parish Council.

Daybreak Oxford, pictured above, has been awarded £135,000 to expand the scheme it has been running for 15 months, transporting people with dementia to and from day centres and taking the older population on shopping trips.

Lee Gray, Chief Executive of Daybreak Oxford, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this funding. It means we can increase the number of days we can operate, the number of centres we can visit, and double the number of people we can serve. We take them door-to-door and it is a real lifeline for so many people.

“We recently bought our second minibus, thanks to a donation from the MacFarlane Family Foundation, and the council’s grant will take care of everything else, from permits to safety inspections, as well as drivers and coordinators to make it sustainable.”

West Oxfordshire’s First & Last Mile, pictured right, has been awarded £40,000 to expand its services and provide administrative support to cope with the additional workload.

It has three vehicles and currently carries about 80 passengers a day, mostly schoolchildren, and serves villages between Long Hanborough and Standlake. However, it is in the process of improving its timetable from next month to include a shopper service from South Leigh into Witney for villagers.

Andy Swarbrick, First & Last Mile CIC Director, said: “We are very pleased to have been awarded a community transport grant. We feel it is in recognition of the widely applauded service we run in one of the most challenging rural areas of Oxfordshire since our inception in January 2022.

“The award will be used to establish not only a shoppers’ service but also put the whole business on a more professional footing. That said, a critical aspect of our philosophy is to engage locally, both in terms of volunteers and the support of the wider community.”

Community transport is part of the voluntary sector and plays a key role in filling gaps in service where public transport is not available. It helps provide safe, accessible, cost-effective, flexible transport run by the community for the community in rural and urban areas.

Community transport can include car clubs, community minibuses, dial-a-ride, lift shares, taxi shares and voluntary car schemes.

Some groups offer services just for their members, while others are open to the public. It can take disabled people to work, children to school, sick people to healthcare and older people to the shops. It runs local bus routes and provides transport for a wide range of clubs and other groups.

The council supports the development of not for profit community transport groups and services.

Small start-up grants to help groups in their development are available, while the council can also help with the cost of training volunteers as minibus and passenger assistants.

More information is available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Oxfordshire County Council carried out the work using ‘cold recycling’ with its contractor Milestone Infrastructure and its supply chain partners Aggregate Industries, Drayton Construction, Hazell & Jeffries and OCL Regeneration in September and October.

During this programme, over 4,000 tonnes of cold recycled material was laid, saving an estimated 75 tonnes of carbon – equivalent to 92 flights from London to New York. It also avoids the environmental impact of disposing of thousands of tonnes of waste planings – the top layer of road surfaces removed due to damage – and the need to extract virgin aggregates.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This is just the latest in a series of schemes we are carrying out with our contractor to improve the quality of Oxfordshire’s roads. By embracing innovation, we are making our residents’ money go further, helping ease the burden on highways budget and cutting carbon emissions in our own projects.”

Five schemes were completed across the county using cold recycling:

• Park Road, Didcot
• Kingham Hill Lane, near Cornwell
• Merton Road, Ambrosden
• B4450 Station Road, Kingham
• Aston Road, near Ducklington.

This technique involves recycling stockpiled road planings and processing them ready to be reused in resurfacing projects.

This material, known as Foambase® or cold recycled bound material, uses 94 per cent of recycled aggregates bound with foamed bitumen and other hydraulic binders. It uses just five per cent of the energy compared to that used in the manufacture of traditional asphalt. This offers a 50 per cent savings in embodied carbon compared with using standard materials.

Richard Lovewell, Business Director for Milestone on the Oxfordshire Contract, said: “Carbon reduction is a key strategic target for both Milestone and Oxfordshire County Council. It is therefore imperative that we look for new ways of working to maximise the use of recycled materials within our highway maintenance contract.

“Our innovative solution of recycling waste materials arising from other maintenance schemes not only reduces carbon emissions but also creates cost savings, especially through not having to pay high specialist disposal costs. This delivers the dual benefit of additional reinvestment into the county council road network whilst taking another step to achieve Milestone’s target of net zero by 2040.

“This project is another great example of Milestone and Oxfordshire County Council working together to deliver sustainable solutions to maintain the county’s roads.”

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They were among 18 applications for 20mph limits to be approved by Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, Councillor Andrew Gant, on 14 December.

The others were Alvescot, Ardington & Lockinge, Backthorn, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, Buckland, Toot Baldon & Marsh Baldon, Dorchester, Elsfield, Charney Bassett, Kingham, Longworth, Sandford St Martin, Upton, Stanton Harcourt, Yarnton, and the Green Lane area of Ewelme.

Cllr Gant said: “This is another landmark moment for our 20mph policy. We believe these changes will make these towns and villages safer, quieter and less polluted places and will encourage more people to cycle and walk – reducing the county’s carbon footprint.

“There is a clear link between the speed of traffic and the likelihood of accidents happening in which people are killed or injured. You are seven times more likely to survive if you are hit by a car driving at 20mph than if you are hit at 30mph.”

Plans have been approved or are being worked on to implement 20mph limits in about 234 of the 310 parishes in Oxfordshire over the £8 million project’s three year period. Other towns to have adopted 20mph limits already include Witney and Abingdon.

The scheme is free to town and parish councils, with the county council funding sign-only changes for areas wishing to be part of the changes as long as locations meet the agreed criteria for 20mph restrictions.

Town and parish councils will be expected to fund any traffic calming measures or speed activated signs that may be required to support the new limit in their areas.

While the council has been working alongside Thames Valley Police, the emphasis is on drivers adhering to the new limits through a change of mindset, rather than enforcement. It is hoped that as 20mph areas become more common, breaking the limit will become socially unacceptable for drivers.

The 20mph programme also fits in with the council’s Vision Zero policy, which aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from Oxfordshire’s roads by 2050.

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Oxfordshire County Council has approved the Didcot Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which will set out how to improve the town’s active travel network, reduce the reliance on private motor vehicles and cut congestion.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We want walking and cycling to become the everyday choice for short journeys or as part of longer journeys combined with using public transport in Didcot and beyond.

“The Didcot LCWIP will help achieve a culture of walking and cycling. This can create  thriving, healthy, inclusive and climate sensitive communities, where improvements enhance the environment that makes Didcot a great place to live, work and visit.”

Approval was given on 14 December by Cllr Gant at a delegated decisions meeting for the cabinet member for transport management.

The LCWIP will provide a ten year plan for the delivery of cycling and walking interventions to maximise the uptake of active travel to help meet the travel needs of the growing populations of Didcot and surrounding areas. It will be reviewed and updated regularly.

There are a number of barriers to more people walking and cycling in Didcot. Key to this is a lack of a joined-up network of walking and cycling routes that improve road safety and make walking and cycling for local journeys more attractive as an alternative to private motor vehicles.

The LCWIP intends to tackle these, with potential improvements including:

• New and improved crossings, including over the River Thames, and junction redesigns for walking and cycling.
• Removal or modification of barriers on walking and cycling routes to improve accessibility.
• On-carriageway cycling improvements.
• Provision of segregated cycle tracks and additional high quality cycle parking.
• Permissions for cycling on some routes where it is not currently permitted.
• Footway widening and public realm improvements.
• New and improved walking and cycling routes between Didcot and other key local destinations outside the town.

Didcot lies at the heart of Science Vale, the UK’s leading area for science, technology, innovation and research, and there is some overlap between the Didcot LCWIP network, the Science Vale Active Travel Network (SVATN) – previously known as the Science Vale Cycle Network (SVCN) – and the Strategic Active Travel Network (SATN). The three projects are complementary, and care has been taken to incorporate the relevant sections of the SVATN and the SATN into the LCWIP proposals.

The Didcot plan is the seventh LCWIP to be approved in Oxfordshire, following on from Oxford, Bicester, Abingdon, Witney, Banbury, and Kidlington.

Formally approving the plan is expected to make it easier for the council to negotiate funding from developers and the government to deliver the improvements it proposes.

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The Benson relief road will be an alternative route from the A4074 and B4009, north of Benson.

The relief road will reduce congestion through Benson village and give the new housing developments to the north direct access to the A4074, at the Elms Bridge roundabout, and the B4009, west of Braze Lane. The project will also provide capacity improvements at the A4074 Church Road junction.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “Benson is a commuter village, with many working people travelling to their jobs. Benson’s village centre has a complex arrangement of junctions, which must be navigated by both local and through traffic – including children walking to school and to other village facilities.

“Pedestrians, particularly those less mobile and parents with young children and pushchairs, are at risk while crossing the roads. The Benson relief road is a central piece to new infrastructure for the village and a vital tool to reducing through traffic. It incorporates measures to encourage cycling and walking locally, which helps reduce car usage in the village, lessening congestion, local emissions and adverse air quality.”

The county council has appointed Milestone Infrastructure to complete its 250 metre section of the road as well as prepare a flood compensation area. The new road is within a flood zone and the flood compensation area is a large area of ground, lowered and offset from the road, which will provide a storage facility for any flood water.

Work on the flood compensation area will take approximately 12 weeks, subject to weather conditions. Also included as part of the work will be an archaeology ‘trace, dig and mapping’ exercise to identify and record any archaeological finds in the construction area.

Once the flood protection measures are complete, full construction of the highway, including laying tarmac and sidewalks, landscaping and lighting as well as the cycle and pedestrian paths, will begin in early 2024, lasting six to eight months.

Planning consent for the scheme was granted in January 2022 and it is being funded through a combination of Growth Deal funding and Section 106 contributions from developers.

The northern section of the road is already complete while parts of the middle section are also currently under construction. These are being delivered by the various housing developers on site. The entire route is anticipated to be open to all traffic in 2026.

More information about the Benson relief road scheme can be found on the county council’s website

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Known as the Wantage Eastern Link Road (WELR), the new road will extend between the A417 (east of Wantage) and the A338 (north of Wantage). It will also provide direct access onto both the A338 and A417 for the Kingsgrove housing development.

The route will not only provide direct access for the residents of the development but will also deliver wider benefits, including:

• improved air quality in central Wantage by reducing traffic; 
• improvements to walking and cycling facilities; and 
• reduced congestion and easier journeys in Wantage town centre and surrounding road junctions by creating an alternative ‘bypass’ route.

The WELR scheme is being delivered in three sections. Sections one and two, the eastern and western arms of the road, have been delivered and funded by St Modwen, developer of the Kingsgrove housing development. The final section (section three) is the middle section linking the eastern and western arms. This is being constructed by Galliford Try on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “We’ve reached a vital point in the delivery of this scheme, and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to progress the main civils works ahead of schedule.

“Wantage is a historic market town that is rapidly growing. The Wantage Eastern Link Road scheme will bring key benefits to the town. The developer has also worked hard to progress their parts of the infrastructure and by working together, we are investing in an improved transport network, including walking and cycling infrastructure, which will connect Wantage and its adjacent villages with the key employment centres in the Science Vale.”

Section one is now complete and section two is nearing full completion. The construction works for section three will last until summer 2024, which is when the entire route is expected to fully open for all traffic.

The section three construction works will be carried out between the hours of 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday. As section three is being built away from the existing highway network, there is expected to be minimal traffic disruption during construction.

You can find out more about the Wantage Eastern Link Road by visiting the project webpage.

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Oxfordshire County Council officers have been working closely with counterparts from Homes England for the past year to develop a business case for the A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme. Following necessary due diligence, Homes England recently confirmed the project has been awarded £17.33 million of infrastructure grant funding through the ‘Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land’ (BIL) Fund, subject to the agreement of pre-contract conditions and the county council entering into a grant funding agreement with Homes England.

The A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme will improve junction capacity at Lodge Hill, as well as make cycling and walking easier and safer in the area. It will allow for shorter journey times by adding new south-facing slip roads to the A34, cycle and pedestrian safety improvements and layby upgrades on the A34. The junction currently has north-facing slips only, and is located between Abingdon and Oxford.

The council had already secured funding for the scheme from several sources, including contributions from developers, the Housing Growth Deal and funding directly from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). However, following a review of the scheme in summer 2022, a funding gap was identified.  

The A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme will be one of the first to be awarded infrastructure grant funding through the BIL Fund, and both parties are looking to enter into a grant funding agreement by the end of the calendar year.

 Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “The A34 Lodge Hill scheme will improve connectivity to and from the north of Abingdon to the town centre and make it easier for people to choose walking, cycling or taking public transport as part of their daily routine.”

“Securing this additional funding is fantastic news. It will help accelerate the detailed design process and enable construction to begin. This is vital and much needed investment to support growth in Abingdon. We have all campaigned for this for so long and it is wonderful news that the needs of our residents and the people who will use this route have been recognised.”

Pauline Schaffer, Director of Infrastructure Funding at Homes England said: “We are committed to working with ambitious local authority partners seeking to meet their local housing needs through delivery of key infrastructure. Our multimillion-pound funding will provide strategic transport infrastructure for housing growth in the area, unlocking 820 high quality homes and supporting existing and future local plan housing allocations.”

Construction is anticipated to start in summer 2024, and last approximately two years.

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Notes to editors

The full list of approved changes and mitigations is:

• Approve the replacement of the bollards in Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. 
• Approve exemptions for emergency services, waste and postal vehicles, taxi and private hire vehicles through the restrictions enforced by ANPR on Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road. The use of ANPR and/or exemptions will be reviewed prior to and during the trial of the traffic filters.
• Approve the introduction of bollards and/or planters at the junction of Jeune Street and St. Clement’s, and make Jeune Street two-way south of the restriction.
• Relocate the residential parking bay in Marston Street.
• Move the filter location on Bullingdon Road to the southwest to a point to the east of the junction with Hurst Street.
• Approve the investigation of measures to improve public transport journey times across the city and resource the interventions.

Taxis and private hire vehicles are considered part of the public transport network in Oxfordshire, alongside buses, scheduled coaches and rail. Our transport user hierarchy encourages the development of schemes that prioritise walking, cycling and public transport use. More information, can be found on pages 37 - 38 of the county council’s local transport and connectivity plan.

LTNs are designed to work with other measures including the planned traffic filters trial. Traffic filters are intended to reduce traffic levels in Oxford by managing the use of certain roads in the city by private cars. The trial will begin when Network Rail’s work to improve Oxford Rail Station is completed (expected to be autumn 2024).

The camera will be used to fine motor vehicles using Cowley Road that make a prohibited left turn on to Iffley Road. Despite the existing restriction, many motor vehicles are still turning left.

Cyclists will continue to be permitted to make this left turn.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, approved the measure on Thursday, and said: “This will be an extra measure to help improve safety at The Plain for all road users, especially the most vulnerable such as pedestrians and cyclists.

“This is a very busy roundabout and the banned left turn is a road safety hazard, which increases the risks for all users. There is a good deal of support for the installation of a camera to deter this.”

The camera is being funded by the council’s Vision Zero programme, set up to try to eliminate deaths and serious injuries from road traffic collisions in Oxfordshire by 2050.

Changes to The Plain were prompted by the death of a cyclist in March 2022, which led to  safety improvements in November 2022 as well as loading restrictions brought in earlier this year.

Motor vehicles will continue to be required to drive around The Plain and then take the Iffley Road exit.

Motorists who contravene the restriction will receive a £70 penalty charge notice, discounted to £35 if paid within 21 days.

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Oxfordshire County Council has been inundated with requests for 20mph zones since it launched its 20mph programme in February 2022. The first two phases of the project were fully booked, although communities have a small window to apply to be part of the third and final delivery phase which takes place in 2024 - 25.

This week, eight more communities had their applications to bring in 20mph limits approved by the council.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, approved applications for these areas at a meeting on Thursday:

• Watchfield
• Towersey
• Nuneham Courtenay
• Newington
• Drayton (Abingdon)
• Littleworth
• Bloxham.

Approval was also granted for 20mph limits on the Deanfield Green residential estate in East Hagbourne as part of housing development works.

Nuneham Courtenay was approved with an agreement that council officers will work with bus operators to look at the impact on services.

Drayton was partially approved with 20mph limits coming in north of Kiln Lane only, but with a view to promoting a 20mph limit as part of the A4017 traffic calming measures in the future.

Cllr Gant said: “Out of about 310 parishes in Oxfordshire, only about 40 have failed to respond to our invitation to provide 20mph limits. So this is their last chance to get their applications in if they want to get involved.

“There is a clear link between the speed of traffic and the likelihood of accidents happening in which people are killed or injured. You are seven times more likely to survive if you are hit by a car driving at 20mph than if you are hit at 30mph.”

Applications for 20mph streets and roads need to be supported by the parish or town council and the relevant local county councillor. The closing date is 31 October 2023.

More information, including details about how to apply, is available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

The scheme is free to town and parish councils, with the county council funding sign-only changes for areas wishing to be part of the changes as long as locations meet the agreed criteria for 20mph restrictions.

Town and parish councils will be expected to fund any traffic calming measures or speed activated signs that may be required to support the new limit in their areas.

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Notes to editors

• LTNs are areas where motorised traffic is prevented from taking shortcuts through a residential area. They are part of the county council’s local transport and connectivity plan and are intended to make residential streets safer and more comfortable for walking, wheeling, and cycling.
• The east Oxford LTNs were installed as a trial in the Divinity Road, St Clement’s and St Mary’s areas in May 2022. Their trial is due to finish on 19 November 2023. 
• The east Oxford LTNs were consulted on between March and June 2021, May and November 2022 and 5 June to 20 July 2023. More details can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website. 
• The county council’s cabinet will consider reports from public consultations, monitoring and evaluation information, including transport and air quality data, feedback from stakeholders, and contributions from speakers at the meeting, in making its decision on 17 October. 
• The full list of proposed changes and mitigations is:
  • Approve the replacement of the bollards in Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road with automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.
  • Approve exemptions for emergency services, waste and postal vehicles, taxi and private hire vehicles through the restrictions enforced by ANPR on Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road. The use of ANPR and/or exemptions will be reviewed prior to and during the trial of the traffic filters.
  • Approve the introduction of bollards and/or planters at the junction of Jeune Street and St. Clement’s, and make Jeune Street two-way south of the restriction.
  • Relocate the residential parking bay in Marston Street.
  • Move the filter location on Bullingdon Road to the southwest to a point to the east of the junction with Hurst Street.
  • Approve the investigation of measures to improve public transport journey times across the city and resource the interventions.
• Taxis and private hire vehicles are considered part of the public transport network in Oxfordshire, alongside buses, scheduled coaches and rail. Our transport user hierarchy encourages the development of schemes that prioritise walking, cycling and public transport use. For more information, read pages 37 - 38 of the county council’s local transport and connectivity plan.

The technique, known as in-situ cold recycling, also allowed the road to be reopened eight days quicker than by using conventional resurfacing techniques.

Oxfordshire County Council carried out the scheme on a road north of Berrick Salome, near Wallingford, with its contractor Milestone Infrastructure and its partner Stabilised Pavements Limited.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We know how important the quality of our roads is to our residents, as well as the need for the county council to reduce the embodied carbon of its highway maintenance work. That is why we’re delighted to be delivering this scheme to make our residents’ money go further and reduce disruption.

“Innovation is at the heart of what our highway teams do. This new technique could be another weapon in our armoury to help ease the burden on highways budgets and cut carbon emissions in our projects.”

In-situ cold recycling involves pulverising the existing carriageway in its original place and then mixing it with foamed bitumen and cementitious powder to create a new 300mm-deep strengthened carriageway.

The material is then compacted to return the recycled layer back to the required road level before a thin surface layer, known as surface dressing, is applied to seal the surface and provide the required skid resistance.

As the technique does not require the material to be heated and involves a lot less import of virgin materials, it is an environmentally friendly technique. It is estimated to reduce carbon by approximately 71 per cent compared to conventional surfacing of the same depth.

On this scheme alone, this is the equivalent of 227 tonnes of carbon – roughly the same as taking over 100 petrol cars off the road for a year.

The new road surface is expected to last for at least 20 years, with routine maintenance. It also has the benefit of cutting 564 lorry movements to and from site, reducing the impact on local communities.

This Berrick Salome project is the latest in a series of innovations on the county’s roads, following:

• A third trial involving the longer lasting Graphene Plus-enhanced asphalt Gipave in Middle Barton in August.
• A trial of new lower carbon materials at a Wantage access road scheme in August.
• The testing of seven different pothole repair methods on a road in Steventon in July.

Phil Raven, Head of Technical Design for Milestone on the Oxfordshire Contract, said: “As we look for new ways to reduce carbon emissions within highways maintenance, increasing the use of recycled materials in our surfacing materials is an important tool in Milestone’s plan towards achieving net zero by 2040.  This is the first time we have been able to use this particular technique on our Oxfordshire network.

“Not only can this lead to carbon reduction and a cost-effective way to repair a rural highway, it can reduce disruption to road users and reduce lorry movements in local communities. This project is a good example of Milestone and Oxfordshire County Council being at the forefront of using innovative techniques to maintain the county’s roads.”

The Berrick Salome scheme is a £740,000 project, which also includes significant drainage repairs. The scheme started on 21 August and is planned to last for five weeks. The 1,650-metre length of surfacing work was completed in six days.

The work is being carried out under a full road closure due to the narrow width of the road to ensure the safety of road users and the workforce. A signed diversion route is in place.

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Due to complications experienced during its £161 million redevelopment of Oxford Station, Network Rail has requested that Botley Road remain closed to through traffic until the project is completed in October 2024.

The original plan was to reopen the road at the end of next month when utility diversion work was due to be completed, and then close it again to through traffic from March - October 2024 for highway work and the replacement of Botley railway bridge.

However, Network Rail has not been able to keep to this schedule due to problems caused by the discovery of an inverted brick arch under the surface, which stretches beneath the railway bridge.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “Obviously it is disappointing that Botley Road will remain closed for longer than expected but there was no alternative due to the difficulties faced by Network Rail in this complex project.

“We continue to thank residents, commuters and businesses who have been affected by this work for their patience and understanding. As the highway authority, we will continue to work with Network Rail and other partners and discharge our duty to manage the highways network effectively.”

Dale Crutcher, Network Rail’s Industry Programme Director for Greater Oxford, said: “This project is extremely complex and has been made even more challenging by the extent of the brick arch underneath the road. We’ve explored a number of options to deliver the works which included moving to working around the clock, but unfortunately with needing the infrastructure to be ready by the end of next year we have no choice but to keep the road closed until October 2024.

“I understand this will be disappointing for residents and businesses, and I’m sorry for the disruption this will cause.

“Engagement with stakeholders will continue with the next local community drop-in at West Oxford Community Centre on Wednesday 27 September between 2.30pm and 6pm, where members of the project team will be available to answer your questions.”

The multi-million-pound project to upgrade the station, the railway and the surrounding local road network will boost passengers’ travel experience while better connecting rail links to the east of Oxford.

Once complete, the station and railway upgrades – part of the Oxfordshire Connect programme – will provide travellers with a bigger and better Oxford station and an expanded railway which will enable more services for passengers and freight, with reduced journey times.  

The road network near the station will also be improved, with safer junctions with Botley Road and more opportunities for sustainable transport, including enhanced bus travel as well as more space for cyclists and pedestrians through the addition of a four-metre cycle and footway on each side of the main road.   

For information on the project visit networkrail.co.uk/oxfordshireconnect or for the latest highways information oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordstation

Anyone wishing to get the latest information on the project can sign up to receive e-mail updates at lineside.networkrail.co.uk/oxfordshireconnect

 The project supports the county council’s ambition to create a greener, healthier Oxfordshire by providing safer and easier active travel options for future inhabitants of planned developments in north Abingdon.

The work is set to improve junction capacity, as well as make cycling and walking easier and safer in the area. It will allow for shorter journey times by adding new south-facing slip roads to the A34, cycle and pedestrian safety improvements, and layby upgrades on the A34.

The junction currently has north-facing slips only and is located between Abingdon and Oxford.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said: “The approval of this application is fantastic news, as securing planning consent is a key milestone in moving forward with this project.

“The proposed work aims to improve connectivity from the north of Abingdon to the town centre and make it easier for people to choose walking, cycling or taking public transport as part of their daily routine. It will reduce traffic through Abingdon, making walking and cycling in the town safer and easier.

“Oxfordshire needs a modern, reliable, affordable and sustainable transport system. The wider Science Vale area will see significant growth in the coming years and investment is needed now so that the transport network can meet the demands that will be placed upon it in the future.”  

The county council held a public consultation in early 2021 to gather initial feedback on the scheme. Revised proposals based on the consultation feedback were included in the planning application.

In addition, as part of a wider package of transport measures surrounding the site, traffic calming measures are also proposed north of the Lodge Hill junction. These measures will be brought forward by Oxfordshire County Council separately to the Lodge Hill scheme, as they will only require amendments to existing road infrastructure.

Planning approval for the project was granted through a county council delegated decision, following submission of the original planning application in October 2022 and a supplementary submission to support the application earlier this year.

The A34 Lodge Hill scheme is funded from several sources including contributions from developers, Growth Deal and funding directly from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). However, following a review of the scheme in 2022, a funding gap was identified.

Currently, the council is engaging with Homes England to secure additional funding that will help accelerate the detailed design process and enable construction to begin.

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The additional diversion route has been agreed following extensive liaison between Oxfordshire County Council, the University of Oxford, and Oxford City Council.

Cyclists may dismount and walk their bikes through University Parks between High Bridge – often known locally as Rainbow Bridge – and Cox’s Corner, in the south-east corner of the park.

The local diversion will be made available to dismounted cyclists during school commuting hours – 7am - 9am and 3pm - 5pm, Mondays to Fridays. This route will be in place from Tuesday 5 September when schools return.

Outside these hours, cyclists will not be permitted within University Parks whether dismounted or otherwise.

Dismounted cyclists will only be able to use the designated route, which will be marshalled by volunteers during the hours of operation. Cyclists will not be permitted in other areas of University Parks at any other time.

The route is intended primarily for use by school children, but all members of the public are welcome to use it during the periods when marshals are present.

Marston cycle path has been closed since 14 August when Oxfordshire County Council began essential refurbishment work to Lemond and Fignon cycle bridges. Work is progressing as planned and the closure is estimated to last until 23 October.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “It’s excellent news that a solution has been found to make it safer for cyclists, especially schoolchildren, to continue to be able to use their bikes while Marston cycle path is closed for essential repairs.”

Professor Alexander Betts, University of Oxford’s Local and Global Engagement Officer, said: “We are delighted that the university and the councils have been able to work together to find a practical solution. It’s important that we support school children and other vulnerable cyclists to be able to get around our city safely.

“We’ve tried to balance this against respecting University Parks’ no-cycling rules, which we know are incredibly important for the many pedestrians who use the Parks.”

These arrangements will be reviewed after two weeks, to assess usage and compliance with conditions.

Outside school commuting hours, alternative cycle routes are available via Magdalen Bridge, which is the shortest route, and via Marston Ferry Road which uses quiet roads and segregated cycle paths.

Mesopotamia Walk will remain open to pedestrians during daylight hours as usual. This route is not appropriate for bikes and cyclists are urged not to use it.

The council leases Marston cycle path and the two bridges from owners the University of Oxford. Under this agreement, the council is responsible for the maintenance of the bridges and the work is being carried in agreement with the university.

Anyone wishing to volunteer their services as a marshal can fill in the forms online.

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Oxfordshire County Council is carrying out the trial in North Street, Middle Barton, with its contractor Milestone Infrastructure and their partner Aggregate Industries to develop the use of Gipave – a Graphene Plus-enhanced asphalt.

North Street is the third Oxfordshire site to trial the innovative material. A 725-metre stretch of the road will be laid with Gipave, while an adjacent length of road will be resurfaced using conventional high performance asphalt, so that the two surfaces can be compared accurately.

It follows a successful pilot scheme in Curbridge in 2019 – the first use of the product in the UK – and a trial on Oxford’s Marsh Lane in March 2022.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We know how important the quality of our roads is to our residents. That is why we’re delighted to be involved in this latest trial to see how we can make our residents’ money go further and make our road surfaces stay in good condition for longer.

“Innovation is at the heart of what our highway teams do, as we have shown with previous Gipave trials and our recent event in Steventon where Milestone tested seven different pothole repair methods on the same road. Increasing the lifespan of road surfaces will reduce the need for resurfacing work, ease the burden on highways budgets, and cut carbon emissions for the life cycle of a stretch of road.”

Phil Raven, Head of Technical Design for Milestone on the Oxfordshire Contract, said: “This is another significant step to test the benefits that this innovative material can bring. As we look for new ways to reduce carbon emissions within highways maintenance, developing materials that last longer is an important part of Milestone’s plan towards achieving net zero by 2040.

“Not only can this lead to longer term carbon reduction, it has the potential to reduce disruption to road users and achieve long term savings for highway authorities. This trial project demonstrates the benefits of international industry collaboration with a highway authority that is committed to trialling new innovations.”

Gipave, which has been developed by Iterchimica, also uses waste plastics which would not normally be recycled. Meanwhile the asphalt containing Gipave can itself be entirely recycled – promoting the ‘circular economy’ which reduces waste and the need for new materials.

Recent in-service testing and analysis of the original 2019 trial site showed the new asphalt material is forecast to increase the lifespan of the asphalt pavement by approximately 165 per cent compared to conventional resurfacing methods, with a corresponding carbon saving of 40 per cent over 20 years.

The Middle Barton scheme is a £450,000 resurfacing project which also includes kerb and drainage repairs. The scheme started on 17 July and is planned to last for four weeks.

The surfacing works are being carried out under full overnight road closures to reduce the disruption to road users and local businesses and residents.

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Oxfordshire County Council has adopted the Banbury Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which sets out how to improve the town’s active travel network, reduce the reliance on single use motor vehicles and cut congestion.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “Banbury is one of many towns across the country that is becoming swamped by traffic. This council has made it clear that one of our priorities is to reclaim space for people to use their environments in a way which is healthy, sustainable and safer, and the Banbury LCWIP will help us achieve that.

“More than 100 residents and groups took the time to engage with us on this plan, which is an excellent example of the importance of consultation. It changed considerably thanks to local knowledge and people responding to the proposals.”

Approval was given on 20 July by Cllr Gant at a delegated decisions meeting for the cabinet member for highways management.

The Banbury LCWIP is a 10 year plan encompassing the urban area of Banbury and its links to the surrounding villages of Adderbury, Bloxham, Broughton, Great Bourton, Little Bourton, North Newington, Middleton Cheney and Wroxton.

The ambition of an LCWIP is to create a cycling and walking network that is accessible for all and where everyone feels safe when they are cycling and walking.

The plan identifies the key routes and destinations where improvements for cycling are needed, such as:

• segregated cycle routes wherever possible
• traffic free routes
• speed reductions to 20mph
• protected space for cycling
• additional road crossings
• reviewed and improved junctions.

Improvements for walking focus on key zones, most notably in Banbury town centre, including:

• wider footways
• improved road crossings and
• removal of physical barriers.

The Banbury plan is the sixth LCWIP to be approved in Oxfordshire, following on from Oxford, Witney, Bicester, Abingdon and Kidlington.

Implementing the plan is expected to make it easier for the council to negotiate funding from developers and the government once the design stage of the project begins.

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