Bridge opponents call for funding to be withdrawn

Opponents of a bridge being built in a city nature park have called for its funding to be withdrawn over concerns it would "destroy" a section of woodland.

Friends of Grandpont Nature Park, which is against the planned Oxpens River Bridge, have said the funds "should never have been awarded" by Oxfordshire County Council.

The bridge would provide a walking and cycling route connecting the Osney Mead industrial estate and the Oxpens area to the city centre.

Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) said the bridge was a long-established part of the Housing and Growth Deal, a programme which provides government funding for housing and infrastructure.

The bridge is being funded using £8.8 million from the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal, and £1.5 million from the Housing and Infrastructure Fund.

But Dan Glazebrook, from Friends of Grandpont Nature Park, said the river bridge should not have been awarded growth deal funds in the first place.

He said: "The Osney Mead development the bridge would supposedly enable will worsen the city's housing crisis by increasing pressure on the housing market."

Mr Glazebrook said the bridge was unnecessary considering the nearby Gasworks Rail Bridge was already in use.

He added: "The University [of Oxford] don't want to use their own prime real estate [for the bridge].

"To just shunt the bridge onto community green space is unacceptable."

Lois Muddiman, who represents Osney & St Thomas for Oxford City Council, said OCC should reclaim the money and divert it elsewhere "before time runs out and Homes England take the money back".

She added: "If this bridge goes ahead, public money which should be spent on infrastructure to enable affordable homes, will instead be used to support Oxford University's long-term plans to develop Osney Mead."

In a statement, the University of Oxford said: "The University supports the City Council's planning application for Oxpens Bridge, and last year agreed to make a contribution of around 10% of the cost of the new bridge after learning that cost increases had put its viability at risk.

"The University supports the bridge primarily because it will form an essential part of west Oxford's active travel networks.

"The bridge will also support the University's long-term aspirations to develop its land at Osney Mead, as well as facilitating access for staff who already work there."

Oxfordshire County Council said the bridge was "a long-established part of the Housing and Growth Deal programme" and Oxford City Council was best placed to deliver the project.

Oxford City councillor Alex Hollingsworth, cabinet member for business, culture and an inclusive economy, said: "The proposed bridge at Oxpens will provide an attractive, safe walking and cycling route between the new homes and jobs planned for the sites at Oxpens and Osney Mead."

While 50% of the homes built on the Oxpens development will be affordable, the bridge also connects to Oxford University's planned Enterprise Park, which will provide new labs and homes for graduate students and staff.

In October, campaigners were granted permission to proceed with a judicial review after claiming Oxford City Council's decision to grant planning permission was unlawful.

A hearing is scheduled for 4 and 5 February at the High Court.

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