Wantage and Grove Station campaigner slams HIF1 project
Andy Holding of Wantage and Grove Station Supporters Group said he was ‘disappointed’ that plans for the Didcot[1] and surrounding areas major infrastructure project (HIF1) had continued to progress.
Oxfordshire County Council has started its tendering process for detailed design and early work of HIF1 despite objections.[2][3]
HIF1 is the combination of four projects to ensure there is capacity to connect a wave of new houses set to be built to the south of Oxford[5].
The HIF1 project
This includes the building of a dual carriageway on the A4130 east of Milton Interchange, a new road bridge over the A4130, railway line and Milton Road, a river crossing linking Didcot to Culham and a bypass for Clifton Hampden.
Mr Holding said: “A Wantage and Grove Parkway Station could reopen and serve Culham station at minimal cost to the taxpayers at around £20,000,000 which is a huge saving to taxpayers. Furthermore, travelling by train vs car is faster and it’s likely to be cheaper.”
A Wantage and Grove station was initially opened by Great Western Railway in 1846 but has seen no trains since 1964.
A petition calling for the reopening of the station had already gained 1,500 signatures. If successful, it is expected to serve around 2.1 million passengers a year.
But Mr Holding fears the money put aside for HIF1 will harm the chances of reopening the station.
He said: “My fear is our potential for a Wantage and Grove station is put back for many more years due to the finances being used up by Oxfordshire County Council and Vale[7] of White Horse District Council.
“I would rather have sustainable public transportation investment over an expensive nine mile road.
“Putting it into perspective it could potentially pay for 15 new rail stations in Oxfordshire or subsidised £2.50 bus fares for a whole year across the UK or pay for more than 600 electric buses to name a few.”
The county council said the HIF1 project would provide more sustainable travel options, reduce congestion in villages, and improve air quality and noise levels.
Councillor Duncan Enright, cabinet member for travel and development strategy, added: “It will enable more reliable journey times, improve pedestrian and cycling connectivity, and support allocated housing and employment sites. It is an investment, mainly from central government, in the local economy.
“The project includes 19.2 km of high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure, opportunities for more direct, faster bus routes and will connect employment sites with Didcot and surrounding villages.”
References
- ^ Didcot (www.heraldseries.co.uk)
- ^ County (www.heraldseries.co.uk)
- ^ despite objections. (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ Wantage and Grove Station: Reopening plans bolstered (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ Oxford (www.heraldseries.co.uk)
- ^ Oxford: Thug made sexual comments to Osney Lock keeper (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)
- ^ Vale (www.heraldseries.co.uk)
- ^ The Crown in Marcham: Offer accepted on Oxfordshire pub (www.oxfordmail.co.uk)