A public inquiry starts this month into a £300 million project to improve the roads around Didcot.
Oxfordshire County Council’s plans, known as HIF1 Didcot, which included creating a dual carriageway on the A4130 from the A34 Milton Interchange towards Didcot, new bridges and a Clifton Hampden bypass, were turned down by the authority’s own planning committee in July 2023.
However, the decision was called in by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
A conjoined planning and Orders public inquiry will take place at Bee House in Milton Park, sitting for 26 days across a 12-week period.
The council will present evidence in support of the application. It argues the scheme would provide sustainable travel options around Didcot, reduce congestion in surrounding villages and improve air quality and noise levels.
In turn, the council says that would enable more reliable journey times for buses and other vehicles, improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity, and support allocated housing and employment sites.
The sitting dates of the inquiry are:
- February 20 – 23
- February 27 – March 1
- March 5 – 8
- March 26 – 28
- April 16 – 19
- April 23 – 26
- May 8 – 10 (set as reserve days)
Sessions will run from 10am – 5pm Monday to Thursday and 10am – 3pm on Fridays. Members of the public can attend.
Following the inquiry, the Government-appointed inspector will present a report to the Secretary of State for a final decision.
The official public enquiry portal includes live streaming of the sessions.
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