Press release – for immediate use
HIF1 – A Missed Opportunity for better transport infrastructure in southern Oxfordshire
The decision (1) by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to grant planning permission to the HIF1 road scheme is very disappointing. It overturns the decision of Oxfordshire County Council’s Planning Committee to reject HIF1 by 7 votes to 2. It misses the opportunity to invest in sustainable public transport infrastructure for future generations.
HIF1 is a legacy scheme that confirms Oxfordshire’s obsession to solve future transport needs with road building. This is at best a temporary solution for Didcot that will immediately shift traffic congestion to Abingdon and Golden Balls / Nuneham Courtenay. By increasing road capacity the scheme will attract greater levels of traffic known as induced demand. This in turn will lead to pressure to build more road capacity in an ever increasing spiral of traffic congestion. This approach is proven to have failed elsewhere and it will fail the people of Oxfordshire.
Runaway Costs
The HIF1 scheme was originally estimated to cost £234.4M in 2021. This was updated to £332.5M in April, at the Planning Inquiry. At the County Council Cabinet Meeting, 16th July 2024 a contingency reserve was added bringing potential costs to £412.2M. ( 2)
With inflation in the construction sector, HIF1 is unaffordable and represents very poor value for money.
Roads masquerading as an Active Travel solution.
Cycle roads tagged along busy highways will not entice people from their cars. The HIF1 scheme is a road to nowhere with 14 junctions for cycles and pedestrians to cross. It would be far better if these funds were used to complete the Didcot Garden line route with a cycle bridge to Abingdon. Similarly, the cycle path in Ladygrove could be extended to Culham Campus via a light bridge at Long Wittenham.
Greg O’Broin Co-Chair of ORAA said: “HIF1 is a legacy scheme that is not fit for purpose. It lacks any ambition for a 21st century solution for the future transport needs of Oxfordshire.”
It is time to grasp the nettle – there are alternatives!
“Councillors need to reconsider this risky and environmentally damaging project which coper-fastens the County’s dependence on cars. It’s time to look at bus corridors and possibly light trams connecting the major towns in southern Oxfordshire with Oxford. Residents of Oxfordshire deserve better.”
ends
Contact: Greg O’Broin
M 07768 490 277
Notes to Editors
1. Secretary of State Decision 11 December 2024