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Works planned for Abbey Meadows bridge

Work is planned to improve the bridge connecting Abbey Meadows and Barton Fields in Abingdon.

The current bridge, made out of timber, is in need of updating and is nearing the end of its operational life.

Vale of White Horse District Council is working in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council to explore options for the bridge which include replacing the existing structure to make it more accessible.

This means reviewing the approaches to the bridge and make it easier to cross as it is currently not compliant with national guidelines as it has very steep gradients.  There are a lot of elements to take into account including the clearance required about the watercourse/stream and trying to find the optimal design to try as much as possible to reduce the impact on the local environment/ecology.  Access to the site is limited from one side only and there are some mature trees we are trying to avoid.

Both the Vale Council and the County Council have secured funding from CiL or Community Infrastructure Levy which is contributions from local developments/developers which has to be used to fund improvements like this.

Councillor Hayleigh Gascoigne, Vale of White Horse District Council Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, Climate Action and Nature Recovery, said: “We know the bridge is reaching the end of its life and its especially a problem that it does not meet disability guidelines.

“Upgrading the bridge would also reduce the bill for ongoing repairs and maintenance.”

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We are sure that users of this bridge will welcome the news that significant funding has been set aside to improve the situation for the benefit of all.”#

Councillor Mike Pighills, Vale of White Horse District Council Abingdon Peachcroft ward councillor, said: “This is great news. The bridge forms part of Sustrans 5 (national cycle route) and provides a cycle and walking route between the centre of Abingdon and Radley lakes which is used by hundreds of people every day.

“Replacing the bridge with one that is safer and DDA compliant will not only secure the future of the route but will improve accessibility to the green spaces around Abingdon.”

The review will consider elements such as bridge materials, longevity and width options.

The two councils will also work with the Environment Agency to commission ecological and potentially structural and drainage surveys as well as hydraulic modelling and assessment.

Once the assessment is complete, recommendations will be made on how to move this scheme forward.