The Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge) Scheme 2022 Confirmation Instrument 2025
This legal instrument confirms the Oxfordshire County Council's 2022 scheme to build a bridge across the River Thames between Didcot and Culham.
The bridge's design specifications, including dimensions and headway, are detailed, and the instrument cites the Highways Act 1980 as its legal basis.
The completed project's plan is available at specified locations.
Arguments For
Improved Transportation: The new bridge improves transportation links between Didcot and Culham, reducing commute times and improving accessibility.
Economic Growth: Enhanced infrastructure can stimulate economic growth in the region by attracting businesses and investment.
Public Safety: The pre-existing inadequate crossing may compromise public safety. A new bridge addresses this.
Legal Authority: The scheme's construction is authorized under Section 106(3) of the Highways Act 1980, and proper consideration was given to navigation requirements.
Environmental Considerations: The instrument explicitly references consideration of navigation requirements, suggesting an effort to balance development with environmental impact.
Arguments Against
Environmental Impact: Construction could disrupt the natural environment and potentially harm wildlife along the river.
Cost: The project might be expensive, raising concerns about taxpayers' money and potential financial burdens.
Alternative Solutions: Other solutions, like improving public transport or creating alternate routes, weren't explored in detail, raising questions about the cost-effectiveness of this specific approach.
Traffic Congestion: The new bridge may lead to unintended traffic congestion in other areas due to increased accessibility.
Disruption during construction: The construction period may result in temporary disruptions to local traffic and businesses.
The Secretary of State for Transport, makes this Instrument in exercise of the powers conferred by section 106(3) of the Highways Act 1980[1] and now vested in the Secretary of State[2].
In accordance with section 107(1) and (2) of the Act, the Secretary of State has taken into consideration the reasonable requirements of navigation over the waters affected and includes such plans and specifications as necessary.
The Secretary of State for Transport's authority to create this instrument stems from Section 106(3) of the Highways Act 1980.
All reasonable navigation requirements were considered during planning.
The instrument contains the necessary plans and details.
This Instrument may be cited as the Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge) Scheme 2022 Confirmation Instrument 2025 and shall come into force on the date on which notice that it has been confirmed is first published in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Highways Act 1980.
The instrument's official title is the "Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge) Scheme 2022 Confirmation Instrument 2025." It becomes legally effective on the date the confirmation notice is published, as outlined in the Highways Act 1980's Schedule 2, paragraph 1.
The Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge) Scheme 2022 (“the Scheme”) is hereby confirmed.
This section formally confirms the Oxfordshire County Council's scheme (referred to as "the Scheme") for the bridge construction project.
The Scheme as confirmed including its Schedule and plan is set out in the Schedule to this Instrument and copies of the Scheme with its accompanying plan are deposited at the offices of the Department for Transport, Deposited Documents Service, MHCLG, 1 Priory Square, Priory Street, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1EA and at the offices of Oxfordshire County Council, County Hall, Oxford OX1 1DJ.
The complete, confirmed plan for the bridge construction, including all relevant schedules, is included in a Schedule attached to this instrument.
Copies of these documents are available at two locations: the Department for Transport and the Oxfordshire County Council offices.
Signed by Authority of the Secretary of State
Martin Gilmour A Senior Civil Servant in the Department for Transport 30th June 2025
The instrument was signed by Martin Gilmour, a senior civil servant at the Department for Transport, on June 30th, 2025, under the authority of the Secretary of State.
THE SCHEDULE THE OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (DIDCOT TO CULHAM THAMES BRIDGE) SCHEME 2022 Article 3 The Oxfordshire County Council (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) makes this Scheme in exercise of their powers under Section 106(3) of the Highways Act 1980 and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf.
This section introduces the detailed schedule of the Scheme.
The Oxfordshire County Council created this scheme using its powers under Section 106(3) of the Highways Act 1980 and other relevant legislation.
The Council is authorised to construct over the navigable wates of the River Thames, the bridge specified in the Schedule to this Scheme as part of the highway which they are proposing to construct between the A4130 at Didcot in the south and the A415 at Culham in the north, in the Parishes of Sutton Courtenay and Culham, in the Districts of South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse, in the County of Oxfordshire.
The Council has permission to construct a bridge over the River Thames.
This bridge will be part of a new highway running between the A4130 in Didcot and the A415 in Culham, Oxfordshire.
This Scheme may be cited as The Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge) Scheme 2022. [Table showing the Scheme's adoption date]
This scheme's short title is 'The Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge) Scheme 2022.' The table indicates the scheme's adoption date (December 21, 2022).
THE SCHEDULE TO THE SCHEME Article 3 Plans and Specifications of the Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge The location and general design of the Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge are shown on the plan numbered RIV_PD-ACM-SBR-DGT_STR_ZZ_ZZ-DR-CB-0035 P02 marked “The Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge) Scheme 2022”.
This section details the bridge's specifications.
The bridge's location and design are shown in plan numbered RIV_PD-ACM-SBR-DGT_STR_ZZ_ZZ-DR-CB-0035 P02.
Points of Commencement and Termination From a point 8.3 metres north of the north bank of the River Thames, whose co-ordinates are 451974.098E, 194504.657N, to a point 8.6 metres south of the south bank of the River Thames, whose co-ordinates are 451965.645E, 194440.209N. Ordnance Survey Grid reference SU519944.
The bridge's starting and ending points are precisely defined by coordinates and Ordnance Survey grid reference.
These points are located slightly beyond the riverbanks.
Span A single river span of 65 metres between the centre of the piers situated on the north and south banks of the River Thames.
The bridge will have a single span of 65 meters across the river, between the central points of support piers on each bank.
Headway The minimum headway is 4.7 metres, based on the proposed soffit level of 51.502 metres AOD, over the standard headwater level at Clifton Lock of 46.802 metres AOD.
The bridge will provide a minimum vertical clearance (headway) of 4.7 meters, calculated from the lowest point of the bridge structure to the standard water level at Clifton Lock.
Waterway The existing minimum clear navigable waterway of 13 metres is maintained.
The construction will maintain the existing minimum navigable waterway width of 13 meters.
Overall Dimensions The bridge will have an overall width of 17.9 metres and will from its east to west side carry a 0.5 metre wide parapet, a 2 metre wide footway, a 3 metre wide segregated two way cycleway, a 2 metre wide verge, a 9.3 metre wide single carriageway, a 0.6 metre wide verge, and a 0.5 metre wide parapet. [Image of bridge dimensions]
The bridge will be 17.9 meters wide, comprised of parapets, footpaths, cycle lanes, verges, and a single carriageway.
A diagram illustrates these dimensions.
EXPLANATORY NOTE (This note is not part of the Instrument) This Instrument confirms a Scheme to construct a bridge over the navigable waters of the River Thames as part of the highway which Oxfordshire County Council are proposing to construct between the A4130 at Didcot in the south and the A415 at Culham in the north, in the Parishes of Sutton Courtenay and Culham, in the Districts of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse, in the County of Oxfordshire.
This explanatory note summarizes its purpose: to confirm the Oxfordshire County Council's scheme for building a bridge over the River Thames, connecting Didcot and Culham via a new highway.
Note that this note is not a legally binding part of the instrument.