Concern over plans to ban vehicles from Didcot underpass

Cow Lane Bridge carries multiple railway lines from Didcot Parkway station, making it a crucial junction for rail traffic.

The underpass links the 1,800-home Ladygrove estate with Didcot town centre.

Oxfordshire County Council approved the Didcot Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) in December.

It will set out how to improve the town’s active travel network and aims to reduce widespread reliance on private motor vehicles and congestion.

One of the proposals is closing the Cow Lane Bridge underpass, which is currently one-way only, to vehicles.

Alternative links for anyone returning to Ladygrove by car involve a detour of up to two miles via the A4130 Didcot perimeter road west of the town, or via Marsh Bridge and Abingdon Road on the eastern side of Didcot.

At a meeting of the full town council, a resident said the scheme would have a huge impact on the town, adding that the previous administration had been against closing the bridge, even during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jenny Adams, who lives on Ladygrove, said: “Well, having cycles only will make driving more difficult, especially for parents going to the primary school.

"It’s a vital link to the town centre. In the time we've been standing here you can see how many cars have gone through.

"I don't see why it can't be used for cars and cyclists as there's already a wide footpath with a safety barrier.”

Andrew Thomas, also from Ladygrove, said: “Obviously it's one-way so although you can drive to the Orchard Centre in 10 minutes you have to go all the way round to get back. But it does cut your journey on the way out.

"I'm not sure how it's saving the planet when you're just creating more traffic going round the outside of the town.”

Two-way traffic through the Cow Lane bridge ended in around 2000.

In 2009 the county council investigated re-instating it after three Didcot county councillors said commuters from the Ladygrove development felt "disenfranchised" by poor transport links in and out of the development.

The LCWIP, which is a 10 year plan which will be reviewed and updated regularly, was approved last December by Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport management at a delegated decisions meeting.

Mr Gant said: “We want walking and cycling to become the everyday choice for short journeys or as part of longer journeys combined with using public transport in Didcot and beyond.

“The Didcot LCWIP will help achieve a culture of walking and cycling. This can create thriving, healthy, inclusive and climate sensitive communities, where improvements enhance the environment that makes Didcot a great place to live, work and visit.”

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “The delivery of any changes to Cow Lane Bridge would be subject to funding, consultation, and the consideration of a wide range of factors including other schemes in the area.”

County councillor David Rouane, who represents Didcot Ladygrove, said: "The potential closure of Cow Lane to motor vehicles is one of many proposals made by transport planners as part of the Local Walking and Cycling Infrastructure Plan.

"Obviously, this plan is written from the point of view of pedestrians and cyclists and has to be read alongside the upcoming Didcot Central Corridor Study which looks at traffic generally in the town centre.

"I have made it clear to the County Council that residents in Ladygrove would not support the proposal unless there were significant improvements in access to the town centre elsewhere.

"As these are unlikely to be forthcoming in the near future, I would not support the proposal at this time."