Didcot road under railway bridge to be closed for four days

Maintenance work will be carried out on the Cow Lane underpass in Didcot from this Sunday, June 7 to create a “brighter, safer and more welcoming” route for everyone to use.

South Oxfordshire District Council said the underpass will be closed between 9.30am and 3.30pm daily until Wednesday, June 10.

However, on Monday, June 8 it will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists with an alternative route for drivers.

Cow Lane underpass in Didcot (Image: Google Maps)

The new look area will include an interactive light display consisting of panels along the pedestrian footpath side of the underpass, which will respond to movement as pedestrians travel through the space with subtle light animations.

The piece of art, commissioned by Didcot Garden Town, is named ‘The Cow Lane Connecting Communities artworks’ and is created by artists Raphael Daden and Second Nature Studio.

An outdoor gallery for residents and visitors is being designed to create a more positive, welcoming environment from the station and into Cow Lane underpass which is a key pedestrian and cycling route.

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Six local community organisations contributed ideas for the artwork including Ladygrove Park Primary School, All Saints C of E Primary School, Didcot TRAIN and more than 320 community members.

Anne-Marie Simpson, cabinet member for planning policy, described the existing work done at Didcot Parkway Station as looking “great” and said she couldn’t wait for the latest to be complete.

Anne-Marie Simpson (Image: Supplied)

“It has already created a warmth and colourful welcome as you arrive at the station and for that to continue as you head into the town is wonderful,” she said.

“It’s great to see so many different community organisations working together to contribute to the project and make it celebration of Didcot and the people that live and work here.

“We thank everyone in advance for their patience during the road closure while this work takes place.”

The artwork has been jointly funded by the government’s UKSPF (£36,000), Great Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund (£15,000), and £10,000 previously allocated to public art through the South Oxfordshire District Council Didcot Garden Town Delivery Plan to help regenerate the area.

Emma Morris, Great Western Railway’s senior community impact manager, added: “Our Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a superb programme that allows us to invest locally in projects that have a positive and meaningful impact for our customers and our communities.

“We’re proud to work together with South Oxfordshire District Council’s Didcot Garden Town team and Oxfordshire County Council to support the improvements to the Cow Lane underpass that will benefit both our customers and the wider Didcot community.”