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.

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 Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge) Scheme 2022 (“the Scheme”) is hereby confirmed.

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.

Signed by Authority of the Secretary of State

Martin Gilmour A Senior Civil Servant in the Department for Transport 30th June 2025

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.

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.

This Scheme may be cited as The Oxfordshire County Council (Didcot to Culham Thames Bridge) Scheme 2022. [Table showing the Scheme's adoption date]

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”.

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.

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.

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.

Waterway The existing minimum clear navigable waterway of 13 metres is maintained.

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]

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.