HiF1 road plans leave Oxfordshire locals ‘shocked and dumbfounded’

Local residents oppose multi-million pound plans for a controversial road scheme in South Oxfordshire

UPDATE: Since the initial publication of this article, Oxfordshire County Council voted to oppose the HiF1 developments. Click here for more information.

South Oxfordshire residents have spoken out in opposition of plans for a major new road scheme, which would link Didcot and Clifton Hampden.

Plans for the £300m Housing Infrastructure Fund programme (HIF1) have been in development for almost a decade. The HIF1 would stretch nine miles from the A34 at Milton to the Oxford Road (B4015) near Nuneham Courtenay. The HiF1 would be an arterial road, taking commercial traffic from the A34 through Didcot towards east Oxford or the M40.

According to Oxfordshire Roads Action Alliance, the HIF1 comprises the following developments:

. A new dual carriageway crossing from the A34 at Milton to a new roundabout near Didcot

. Two major new bridges: one over the main Great Western Rail line to Wales, and one over the Thames near Culham

. A new section of road adjacent to the Didcot northern perimeter road

. A proposed Clifton Hampden bypass, running along the A415 and diverting traffic between Culham Science Centre and Clifton Hampden

. A flyover crossing over rail sidings close to Appleford

According to Oxford Friends of the Earth (OFE), there is a strong case for Oxfordshire County Council to reject the HiF1 road-building scheme. Among other concerns, OFE believe that rather than reducing traffic in south Oxfordshire, the HiF1 scheme will attract more vehicles to the area. Oxford County Council’s Local Transport and Connectivity Plan states:

“We have found that road schemes often generate new demand and quickly reach capacity again. It is therefore not a sustainable long term solution for Oxfordshire’s transport network.”

OFE are urging locals who disagree with the scheme to sign their petition to put a stop to the HiF1 scheme. South Oxfordshire resident Andy Holding is one of almost 2,000 locals who have signed the petition. He said:

“I would rather have sustainable public transportation investment over an expensive 9 mile road. We have aspirations to see Wantage & Grove Parkway railway station opened within 8 to 10 years but sooner would be better for our environment.”

Appleford locals are concerned about an increase in traffic and noise levels in the area, as a result of the HiF1 scheme. A statement by the community of Appleford said:

“Alongside increased traffic and noise levels there will also be increased air pollution, significant visual intrusion, construction disruption and house value impacts.”

Vicki Johnson has lived in Appleford for ten years, and says the HiF1 plans are not in line with Oxford County Council’s climate change pledges. She said:

“Oxford County Council have a new policy to cut pollution levels, yet they’re pushing a main road on our village without any consideration for the residents. Our parish council and other groups have tried to work with them to mitigate some of the effects that this is going to have on us, and they won’t listen. They’re not engaging.”

“You turn the television on and immediately you’re hit by the hottest temperatures on record. We need to act on climate change now. The council need to consider alternatives to this road, which they haven’t done. If you make a carbon cutting policy, you need to stick to it.”

On Tuesday the 18^th of July, OCC will meet to either accept or reject the HiF1 scheme. Until that date, locals continue to sign petitions and hang flyers in their windows, in protest of the HiF1 development. One prominent campaigner is Appleford local Ian Cook, who has lived in the village with his wife for 20 years. He believes that the current cost predictions for the scheme are ‘very much underestimated’. Ian said:

“There’s a fixed amount of money available for the scheme and it will end up costing a lot more. In a time of ongoing and very uncertain inflation, the HiF1 scheme is very financially risky for the council.”

Terrence McGovern is a retired coach driver living in Appleford. He believes that the HiF1 scheme may have benefits to the Oxfordshire community:

“With all these new houses being built, the roads just can’t cope with it. We need something to happen. But the pictures of the HiF1 look horrendous.”

Pamela Eglin is retired and has been living in Appleford for over thirty years, and is one of many locals petitioning against the scheme. When asked about the plans, she said:

“I’m shocked. I’m dumbfounded. We shouldn’t be expanding road travel. The council should pay attention to the A34, which we’ve already got.  It doesn’t make sense to have a modern freeway in such a rural part of the world.”

“Think of the children in the local schools, think of their lungs. Think of pensioners who are going to live with this thing thirty feet above their heads at the bottom of their garden. Property value is crashing.”

Pamela added:

“Where are all the HGVs going to go after Didcot? They can’t use the B-roads, county roads or weight-restricted roads. This extension will not solve the problem of traffic at all. It’s a waste of money and time, and a vandalization of our village.”