Oxfordshire County Council is seeking central government funding to replace the ageing Kennington rail bridge.

The bridge carries around 50,000 vehicles daily and forms a crucial part of the southern bypass, linking key locations across the city.

The work will also include a shared path for walking and cycling, a new eastbound bus and park-and-ride lane and improved flood protection for homes, businesses and transport routes.

The county council has written to the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Transport to highlight the importance of the bridge improvements and indicate the need for financial support from the Department for Transport's new structures fund to close a £71 million funding gap. The remaining cost of the project is being met by the county council and Environment Agency.

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The estimated full cost of the project, currently £180 million, has increased since work on detailed design began. Engineering challenges identified during this work, as well as inflation in the cost of construction materials, have contributed to the rise in projected cost.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “This project is essential for the future of our local road network, and it also works with the Environment Agency's Oxford flood alleviation scheme, providing more capacity for flood water and protecting homes, businesses and crucial transport links.

"We have maintained the rail bridge since it was passed to us from central government, but the structure now needs to be replaced. We cannot meet the full cost on our own and we have therefore started work to secure national support to make sure this vital part of the Oxfordshire road network is replaced."

In October 2024, the county council received planning permission for the improvements. Detailed design work, construction methodologies and all necessary surveys are now nearly complete.

The project involves replacing the bridge one side at a time, to retain access, under traffic management, throughout the construction period.