Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Oxfordshire needs a modern, efficient, reliable, affordable and sustainable transport system. The area will see significant growth in housing and employment in the coming years. Investment is needed now so that the transport network can meet the demands that will be placed upon it in the future.

 The purpose of the Relief to Rowstock scheme is to: 

• Facilitate improvement to public transport
• Provide suitable infrastructure to encourage use of sustainable and active travel modes. 
• Facilitate planned growth in the area
• Look to reduce congestion and improve journey time reliability
• Improve safety for all road users

The Relief to Rowstock scheme will cost approximately £10million and is being financed through a combination of City Deal, Housing and Growth Deal funding and Section 106 contributions. 

The project will be delivered in phases. Preliminary and detailed design of phase one, the A4130 widening works, will take place until Autumn 2023. Construction is due to commence in late 2023 and be completed in 2024. 

Work on any additional phases of the Relief to Rowstock scheme is dependent on the otions identified, funding availability and the potential need for any land acquisition.

The land required for phase one of the Relief to Rowstock scheme is within the existing highway boundary.

An east bound bus lane from Steventon lights junction to Milton Interchange is being provided.

Improvements will be made by widening the existing walking and cycling provision. In-line crossings are also proposed at both signalised junctions at Trenchard Ave and Steventon High Street.

No. As the design, and subsequently the construction of the scheme, sits within the existing highway boundary, no planning permission is required.

Bus journey time savings and reliability will be improved from the installation of the bus lane. This will give residents and/or employees in the area increased confidence in the bus services that use the route we are improving.

One of Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance priorities is ‘Increased investment in an inclusive, integrated, county-wide active and sustainable travel network fit for the 21st century to improve choice and reduce car journeys across the county’. Phase one of the Relief to Rowstock scheme will align with this priority by providing an eastbound bus lane as it improves journey time savings and reliability and subsequently, confidence in the service.

There will be some disruption during construction but, this will be managed through appropriate temporary traffic management. The construction of the scheme will be carefully phased to ensure that the existing access to and from the A34 remains open throughout the construction process. Details about the traffic management will be available closer to construction.

Temporary bus stops will be provided as close as possible to the existing ones during the construction phase.

The proposed construction works, for phase one, are due to be begin in Autumn 2023 and last until 2024. Traffic management arrangements will be in place for the majority of this duration and will be adapted according to the progression of works. Further details will be available closer to the time of construction.

There will be environmental and ecological surveys undertaken to ensure mitigation of our impact on the surrounding environment. A landscaping and planting strategy will be developed which is in line with the council’s Tree Policy for Oxfordshire.

No. A surface water drainage system will be incorporated into the design, in accordance with the design standards, to ensure there is no increased risk.

Yes. Maps and plans are available to view on the OCC website and on this Let’s Talk Oxfordshire page, which showcases the designs of the scheme.

The scheme has been designed in accordance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB), which adheres to the national design standards.

Within the scheme limits, a 3m shared footway/cycleway will be provided.

Yes. It is proposed to reduce the speed limits within the scheme to 40mph.

Milton Heights Bridge is a separate scheme to provide a new foot bridge over the A34 via the Blaise Park housing development. This is a further upgrade to the active travel network which relates to phase one of Relief to Rowstock.

All the schemes within the area will be managed to ensure disruption is to the network runs as smoothly as possible.  

This public consultation is being held from 11 October to 8 November.  You can submit your feedback by completing the questionnaire on this webpage.

Your feedback will be used to contribute to how the scheme will work best for all those travelling between Wantage, Grove, Didcot and the main employment centres in the Science Vale or accessing the A34 to travel elsewhere.

You can also email the project team at R2Rproject@oxfordshire.gov.uk  or write to: 

Relief to Rowstock Scheme

Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (No further address details required)

Alternatively, you can keep up to date with the Relief to Rowstock project by visiting the dedicated Relief to Rowstock webpage on the OCC website.

You can also sign up to receive regular news and alerts from Oxfordshire County Council’s Travel Bulletin.

We know that some people can’t, or find it difficult to, take part in online consultations or need things in a different format such as large print, easy read or a different language, to have their say.

If you, or anyone you know needs a printed copy of the questionnaire, information in an alternative format or help with sharing their thoughts please email  R2Rproject@oxfordshire.gov.uk or call the county council's Customer Services Team on 01865 816000.

Please note the council's Customer Services Team are unable to answer any detailed questions about the proposals and these will be passed to the relevant project team who will respond as soon as possible.