HIF1: VolkerFitzpatrick, AECOM and GRAHAM’s delayed project

The start of the Didcot and surrounding areas major infrastructure HIF1 scheme was long overdue but the third and final contract has been awarded.

UK and Ireland-focused construction group GRAHAM will work on the Didcot to Culham River crossing. 

The local council already has appointed GRAHAM to deliver the Clifton Hampden Bypass, the second contract awarded under the scheme, in the county of Oxfordshire, England.

“It is fantastic to have partnered with Oxfordshire County Council once again on another essential civil engineering project in the area,” says Andrew Henry, GRAHAM Contracts Director.

What is HIF1?

Established by the Oxfordshire County Council, HIF1 stands for Housing Infrastructure Fund. 

Its purpose is to deliver a highway scheme which will support new housing and employment sites in the area.

It is also meant to help improve infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists heading to work or travelling for leisure, reduce congestion and shorten journey times.

Overall, the scheme is expected to cost a minimum of £323m (US$434) and will involve creating a new:

• Dual carriageway east of Milton Interchange.
• Single-carriageway road and Didcot Science bridge over the A4130, Great Western Main Line, and Milton Road.
• Single carriageway link road connecting Didcot and Culham, including a new bridge over the River Thames.
• Bypass to the north of Clifton Hampden village.

“These existing local bridges are old and not suitable for modern levels of traffic movement. They are often congested and subject to flooding in the winter months. This new crossing over the River Thames will help improve traffic flow, public transport journey times and reliability, and offer more resilience for public transport from flooding,” explains Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair.

“The entire Didcot and surrounding areas' major infrastructure scheme will give people more choice in how they travel, with improved conditions for active and sustainable kinds of travel which are better for everyone.”

VolkerFitzpatrick and AECOM won contracts along with GRAHAM

AECOM will lead the design of the Didcot Science Bridge and the widening of the A4130.

“Since our involvement in the concept and planning stages of the scheme began in early 2019, AECOM is delighted to continue working with Oxfordshire County Council on the detailed design phase,” says Mark Saunders, AECOM Director for Streets, Surface Transportation, Aviation and Ports.

“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.”

VolkerFitzpatrick’s contract includes constructing a dual carriageway along the A4130 east of the A34 Milton Interchange. It will also require the creation of a new single carriageway bridge across the railway line and Milton Road, and the construction of the Didcot Science Bridge. 

“We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver the Didcot Science Bridge, a key component of this transformative infrastructure programme,” says Paul Lilley, Strategic Projects Director, VolkerFitzpatrick.

“Our team brings extensive experience in delivering complex civil engineering projects, and we look forward to working closely with Oxfordshire County Council and its partners to create infrastructure that will improve journey times, enhance sustainable travel options, and support future growth across the region.” 

Why was HIF1 delayed?

Plans for the scheme were first discussed over a decade ago after Didcot won Garden Town Status.

While thousands of new homes were built in the area, infrastructure to accommodate easy, sustainable travel lagged. In 2023, Oxfordshire County Council's planning committee rejected the plans for the scheme.

However, the scheme is now recognised by the council as necessary for reasons such as the connectivity it will create where the area is divided by the river and railway.

It will also create an easy throughway to places such as Reading.

Speaking of the bypass, Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy says: “The A415 is a busy road that experiences a large amount of through traffic and congestion on the A415 to A4074. 

“It runs right through Clifton Hampden, including past the village primary school. This bypass will completely transform that, moving traffic onto a new road to the north of the village.

“I’m very pleased that we’ve successfully appointed a contractor to provide this much needed bypass.”

Enabling works, including site clearance, utility diversions and archaeology investigations have already now begun. Early construction activities are also already underway. The project is expected to be completed in two-and-a-half years.