A423 Kennington improvements programme

About the improvements

The A423 Kennington improvement programme includes:

• the replacement of Kennington rail bridge.
• a shared path for walking and cycling.
• a new eastbound bus lane – also for use by vehicles travelling to Redbridge park and ride.
• increased capacity of the Hinksey streams for flood alleviation.

Figure 1. A layout picture showing where the work will take place on the A423

Why we are investing here

We are investing across the county to provide a modern, sustainable travel network to enable people to rely less on their cars. This means putting better bus, as well as cycling and walking infrastructure at the centre of our major projects.

Kennington Rail bridge is in poor condition and needs to be replaced. Reconstruction of the bridge will ensure safety for all users as well as the opportunity to prioritise road space for bus, walking and cycling.

Timescales 

This may be subject to change, due to the complexities of the work involved.

What you can expect

Kennington rail bridge will remain open until we start building works. We will rebuild the bridge half at a time so that traffic can flow over the remaining half of the bridge.

Temporary widening and contraflow traffic management will also be in place (more details will be available closer to construction). Alternative routes will be provided and signed for pedestrians and cyclists throughout the work.

Phase 1 - Safeguarding work

The bridge has already been propped at its piers and as part of phase one, the load-carrying capacity of the bridge will be increased for work to be carried out safely.

Phase 2 – Reconstruction

The bridge reconstruction work will involve several elements:

A423 Eastbound Lane

We are proposing to widen the A423 eastbound from Hinksey Hill to introduce an additional all-traffic lane for left-turning vehicles from the A34 Hinksey Hill roundabout to Old Abingdon Road, creating a three-lane carriageway.

The new lane from Old Abingdon Road to Redbridge park & ride will be for exclusive use by buses and vehicles using the Park and Ride. The approach to Kennington roundabout will become four lanes as a result of the additional bus/ park and ride traffic lane.

Walking and cycling facilities

We will create a shared-use path to the north of the A423 by upgrading the existing footway between Hinksey Hill and Old Abingdon Road.

The existing footway/ cycleway on the southern bridge of the rail bridge will be retained.

Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme (OFAS)

The work on the Kennington rail bridge forms an integral part of OFAS.

Combining the bridge replacement works with the flood alleviation scheme requirements will minimise disruption on the A423 and maximise value for money.

The Environmental Agency submitted its planning application in March 2022. For more information on OFAS, visit the EA FAQ page on their scheme.

Planning application

In autumn 2022 we opened a digital exhibition to showcase our plans and gave people the opportunity to share their views online or in person at four local events.

In February 2023 we submitted a planning application that was informed by the feedback we received.

The planning committee hoped to reach a decision in June 2024, but due to the complex nature of this project, more information was requested, and more time allowed to consider all relevant detail. Following a review of how the scheme could be constructed, it was determined that additional ground clearance was needed to deliver the improvements. Extra planning documentation was submitted to the Local Planning Authority in May 2024, and we now expect a decision in late summer 2024 following a 30-day consultation.

How it is being funded

The scheme is being financed through multiple sources including the county council, Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and OFAS.

Contact us

If you would like to know more, you can contact us by emailing A423Kenningtonimprovements@oxfordshire.gov.uk