Contractor Graham and consultant AECOM have been signed up by Oxfordshire County Council to deliver the second stage of a £332m highways scheme in Didcot.
Graham is undertaking detailed design for a river crossing at Culham and the Clifton Hampden bypass elements of the scheme while the detailed design of the Didcot Science Bridge and the widening of the A4130 is being led by AECOM.
Cllr Judy Roberts, the council’s cabinet member for infrastructure and development strategy, said: 'Graham has worked on similar projects around the country and have a high commitment to social value and giving back to the local area. Their bid was successful as they understood the scheme and its complexities and how the four elements need to tie together.'
Both companies have been working on the council’s plans for some time with Graham signing an early contractor involvement deal in April 2023.
The company’s contracts director Andrew Henry said: 'This collaborative approach has enabled us to develop the detailed design for these significant infrastructure projects while actively engaging with third-party stakeholders such as Thames Water and Openreach to co-ordinate necessary utility diversions.'
AECOM’s design commission continues an association with the project since the concept and planning stages started in 2019.
'Leveraging our in-depth knowledge of the scheme, we are committed to collaborating with stakeholders to deliver the best possible outcomes for Didcot and the surrounding area,' said Mark Saunders, AECOM’s director for streets, surface transportation, aviation and ports.
The Culham River Crossing will comprise a single carriageway link featuring new bridges over the River Thames and the rail line at Appleford, while the 2.2km Clifton Hampden Bypass will link the A415 at Culham to the B4015 north of Clifton.
The second part comprises a dual carriageway on the A1430 east of the Milton Interchange, along with a three-span bridge that will cross over the existing A4130, the Great Western mainline railway and Milton Road.
The scheme was granted planning permission in December 2024 after a 21-day public inquiry and is being funded through two grants from Homes England secured in 2022 and 2024, plus £30m from the council’s capital budget and £10m from the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
