'Road to nowhere' fears for Didcot perimeter route

A councillor has warned a "road to nowhere" is being planned in Didcot.

Oxfordshire County Council wants to start construction of the northern section of a perimeter road in the town, known as NPR3, next summer.

But without the southern section, which it is relying on developer Bloor Homes to deliver as part of planning conditions, the road will end abruptly at the edge of a housing estate.

Bloor Homes said it was "committed" to delivering the full Ladygrove East development, including the missing section of NPR3.

Oxfordshire County Council has budgeted £12m for the northern section of the road, with money coming from government grants and developer contributions.

It would extend the A4130 from its junction with Ladygrove and Abingdon Road, but will stop at the edge of an existing housing estate, without joining up to the rest of the road network.

Planning conditions agreed by South Oxfordshire District Council mean that Bloor Homes will be responsible for delivering the southern section, which will join up with Hadden Hill.

But it will only be required to do so once 500 homes are occupied on their planned 750-house Ladygrove East development.

Conservative county councillor Ian Snowdon said it meant there was a major question mark over when the rest of the road would be built.

He said: "It's unthinkable that they would build half a road that will stop.

"It doesn't even go to the first roundabout that they can turn round on, it will literally just stop at a dead end.

"Didcot has had a lot of experience of developers promising one thing and it not materialising.

"I am very sceptical and I know a lot of residents of Didcot are very sceptical because we've had developers ruling the roost and telling the council what to do."

He said he estimated the southern section would not be built until 2032 under current timescales and planning conditions, and there would be traffic "carnage" in the meantime.

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson said: "The county council's project team for the northern section of the Didcot NPR3 scheme will work alongside relevant county and district council colleagues to explore potential opportunities to accelerate delivery of the southern section through upcoming discussions with Bloor Homes."

Bloor Homes issued a statement along with landowners, and said they were "committed to delivering the full Ladygrove East development".

It said: "This comprises up to 750 residential units, meeting all relevant planning and highway obligations including the southern section of NPR3.

"Bloor Homes is currently progressing with detailed design for the first phase of the scheme, following early purchase of this land.

"This demonstrates the intent to begin construction promptly and deliver the public benefits secured through planning."