Environmental groups blocked a survey team from accessing land for a new road scheme they are calling ‘the road to ruin’.
Armed with padlocks and banners, Environmental groups including Oxford Friends of the Earth (FoE) and Extinction Rebellion, blocked access to the land beside the A4130 near the junction with the A34 at Milton. This land could be used to build a new nine-mile road.
The new road and river crossing in South Oxfordshire would see links made between Didcot and the Culham Science Centre. However, this plan has been labelled “damaging” and a “disaster” by villagers, parish councillors and environmental groups.
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Oxfordshire County Council has drawn up plans as part of a package of major road improvement schemes in the Didcot area. Plans include widening the A4130 from A34 Milton Interchange towards Didcot from single to dual carriageway; a new Science Bridge over the A4130, Great Western Railway Line and Milton Road into the former Didcot A Power Station site; a new Didcot to Culham bridge between the A4130 and A415; and a Clifton Hampden bypass.
The survey team had a 'warrant of entry' following a court case last December, so the landowner was obliged to grant access. However, the protestors padlocked the gate to prevent the surveyors from entering the fields. County council consultants turned up and later left the site.
Chris Church of Oxford FoE said: "This road would be an environmental disaster. we support the parish councils who oppose this plan and will fight it at every stage. Oxfordshire County Council need to revise they development plans for the area. They claim that they are committed to tackling climate change: if that is true, they need to withdraw this plan."
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Oxford FoE is against the road scheme for several reasons. The group believe the millions of pounds needed to build the road should be invested in better public transport to help cut congestion.
The group also say the construction of the new road would generate 154,000 tonnes of CO2 before any car journeys are made.
Mr Church has said the plans were due to go to the planning committee in April, but he believes it will be taken off the agenda. He hopes this will allow the council to review the plans and come up with alternatives.
He said: “For us this is the first step in opposing the road plan. We are pleased to see that already they are recognising that the proposals need to be more sustainable. But we do not expect to stop the surveyors forever.”
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