OXFORDSHIRE County Council has officially submitted its bid for funding for new roads including a new bridge across the Thames.

The £218million application will help pay for four projects in and around Didcot, if successful.

The money will come from the Government's Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) to support the expected population growth in the area in the next decade.

Schemes included in the plans are the widening of the A4130 from Milton Interchange towards Didcot; a new Science Bridge over the A4130; a new Culham to Didcot river crossing between the A4130 and A415; and a Clifton Hampden bypass.

All schemes include improved walking and cycling routes to give people the choice of leaving their car at home.

Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council said: “This bid for more than £200m shows the sustainable growth ambitions of Oxfordshire.

"It demonstrates that Government is listening and the recognition that infrastructure is required in parallel to the delivery of new homes.

"The infrastructure will also be vital to economic growth and support job creation in an area important to the local and national economy whilst helping to support the objectives of Didcot Garden Town.”

Oxfordshire County Council held a consultation to hear residents’ views on the plans to support growth around Didcot in late 2018.

It expects to hear the outcome of the funding bid by early summer 2019.