Oxford News
Didcot: ‘global problems’ could see £400M spend on crossing
Council place and environment boss, Cllr Judy Roberts, confirmed that the local authority will apply to Homes England’s £79.6 million discretionary fund for the Didcot to Culham river crossing, which already has £332.538 million secured.
The new dual-carriageway bridge will connect the A4130 at Didcot with the A415 at Culham and includes a bridge over the Thames, over a rail siding and connections to Appleford and Sutton Courtney villages via the B4106 with segregated walking and cycling facilities.
This is one of three “major infrastructure projects” in the Didcot Garden Town Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF1) programme.
It aims to “relieve congestion, and support the delivery of over 12,655 new homes and significant employment growth across the Science Vale”.
At a meeting on Friday (May 1), Mrs Roberts explained: “They will give us this money, but we would have to apply for it to justify it.
“I think, given the global problems at the moment, that that is quite a good justification.”
She added: “We have had informal words that they are probably happy to do that. ”
At that meeting, she also greenlit the awarding of a construction contract for the building of the crossing’s “central span”, which has an estimated cost of around £151 million.
The final decision on the contract lies with the council’s director of environment and highways.
The meeting heard concerns from an Appleford-on-Thames parish councillor, Greg O’Broin, who had predicted costs could rise above £400 million in August 2025.
The council previously campaigned against the HIF1 programme, but now accepts that planning permission has been given and Mr O’Broin attended to “register concerns” of the “community most affected by this scheme”.
He has described the crossing as a “fly-over” for the village, “with loss of trees, landscape damage, traffic noise and now significant disruption to the lives of persons during construction.”
He called the risk of overrun with the project “real”, which was a concern due to the Homes England funding ending in March 2028.
The parish council has called for greater transparency on costs, a rethink on an “unacceptable” eight-month road closure, and for traffic light infrastructure to combat “danger at a junction” of the B4016 with the crossing to help protect village children.
He said: “The council must reduce the closure period”
At the meeting, council officers agreed to share more information on estimated costs.
Mrs Roberts agreed to look into potential traffic lights in the scheme’s design and said she believes that the crossing will provide traffic relief for villages and “ancient” bridges in the area.
She also hopes that the project will run under budget.
With the hot weather returning to the UK this week, West Oxfordshire District Council has warned some bin collections may be brought forward to earlier in the day.
The authority says this will allow crews to carry out their work safely while avoiding the hottest part of the day.
Temperatures are expected to climb back up to 30C on select days next week, with the government issuing a heat health warning.
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A spokesman for the council said: “To ensure your waste is collected, we kindly ask residents to place their bins out the night before their scheduled collection day, or by no later than 6am.
“You can check your collection day online: https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/…/check-your-collection-day/
“These temporary changes are determined by our waste contractor and are typically introduced during prolonged periods of high temperatures.
“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping to keep our crews safe during warmer weather.”
An amber heat warning has been issued by the Met Office, scheduled for Monday, June 22 from 1am until 23.59pm on Tuesday, June 23.
The Met Office said: “Adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to extreme heat”.
The forecaster also said motorists may see delays on roads plus anyone travelling by rail or air could also find journeys take longer.
The Refugee Flag was flown at Witney Town Hall to mark World Refugee Day.
Mayor Councillor Jane Doughty and Deputy Mayor Councillor Sandra Simpson raised the flag in support of refugees living in Witney and around the world.
World Refugee Day is observed annually on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
In an online post, Witney Town Council said: “This morning, the Mayor, Cllr Jane Doughty, and the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sandra Simpson, raised the Refugee Flag at the Town Hall, marking World Refugee Day.
“The flag is raised every year on the flagpole as a gesture of solidarity with the refugee community here in Witney and across the world.”
Najeebullah Arab, of Mayfield Avenue, Grove, was today (Friday, June 19) sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to 10 years and 11 months’ imprisonment, an extended licence period of six years, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years and a lifetime restraining order for his victims.
The 40-year-old Afghan national pleaded guilty to sexually communicating with the 14-year-old child in May 2024.
READ MORE: Afghan man jailed for violent sexual offences in Wantage
He was on court bail for that offence when he sexually assaulted a woman in her 20s in January this year and, less than a week after that, sexually assaulted, kidnapped and raped a 19-year-old woman in Wantage.
Senior investigating officer detective chief inspector Stuart May of the Thames Valley Police said: “Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victims in this case, whose courage in coming forward has been vital in securing justice.
“They were rightly described as heroes by HHJ Nott during today’s sentencing.
“Arab is a dangerous sexual predator who targeted women and subjected them to traumatic and violent offences.
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“His actions have had a lasting impact on his victims, and it is right that he will now spend a significant period of time behind bars.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and ensures he can no longer pose a risk to the public.
“I hope this outcome provides some reassurance to the victims and the wider community that offenders like Arab will be brought to justice.”
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