Attached is a document detailing 4 options suggested by engineer and local resident, Russell Harman, as alternatives to closing the B4016.

The notes of the meeting are:

Public Meeting at Appleford Village Hall – 18 March 2026

7:30 pm – 8:15 pm

Chair: Greg O’Broin Appleford resident and (Appleford) Parish Councillor. Attendance: Mr Tim Mann (OCC), Lynsey Turner (OCC), Sean O’Neill & Dan Cawthra Graham Construction, (County & District) Cllr Judy Roberts, Mr Russell Harman.
Public: 70+ residents of Appleford, Sutton Courtenay, and Culham.
The meeting was a follow-on from a meeting on 9 March on the long-term closure of the B4016. Mr. Tim Mann, Senior Lead HIF1 Programme and Mr. Sean O’Neil, Graham Construction kindly offered to attend and provide an update for the local community.
These minutes are intended as an outline record and summary of the meeting and not a verbatim record of what was said.
Speakers / Agenda
• Introduction and opening comments (Greg O’Broin – Chair)
• Tim Mann (OCC)
• Sean O’Neill (Graham Construction)
• Russell Harman (Engineer)
• Questions

1. Introduction & Opening Comments
1) GOB welcomed everyone to the meeting saying it was a Public Meeting and not a Parish Council meeting which would follow afterwards.
2) He welcomed Cllr Roberts who was in the audience and stated that Appleford wished to engage constructively with OCC.
3) He wanted to list some points that OCC and the Contractor could address and take way for consideration. These included: –
o A Long-term Road Closure would be highly disruptive and is unacceptable to the local community. The recommended diversion involves a 7-mile detour that will significantly increase journey times for people travelling to work and for school children on their way to and from school. It is not acceptable.
o Clubs & societies who use this hall are already looking for alternative venues
o As the Village most affected by HIF1, Appleford wishes to avail of the Social Value Initiatives referred to in the CTMP & the Landscape Enhancement Fund referenced in the HIF1 application.
o Concern at excessive Tree removal without consultation.
o Ability to repurpose compounds as a car park for Appleford Station.
o 3M noise barriers along the length of HIF1 road from the level crossing to the T Junction.

o Traffic Lights at the T Junction (HIF1 & B4016) are essential for safety reasons and should be included in the design. Without them the junction will be highly dangerous for traffic crossing at rush hour, particularly for children on their way to school.
The Chair introduced Mr Mann and asked that speakers be allowed to complete their presentation. Questions would be taken at the end.

2. Tim Mann (OCC Programme Lead for the HIF1 scheme) addressed the meeting and noted the following:
1) OCC acknowledged the concerns raised by the local community and noted that it is an issue the Council takes seriously.
2) The HIF1 team has been working with OCC’s network management team to agree proposals for the area. So far, only plans for the next six months or so have been agreed. The rest are still being discussed.
3) A closure will be needed between Appleford and Sutton Courtenay on the B4016 to construct the new road.
4) It will only be closed for as long as necessary. Current plans suggest this will start in the summer 2027 and last for approximately eight months.
5) OCC will use the time between now and the closure to explore ways to mitigate the impact of the proposal.
6) There are going to be other impacts on the road network over the course of construction.
7) OCC will use its newsletter to communicate regularly about the impact of the construction works on the road network.

3. Mr Sean O’Neill, Graham Construction (Project Manager for the Culham River Crossing Scheme) addresses the meeting. He noted: –
In assessing the most appropriate TM measures to deploy for the second phase of works there are a number of key constraints relating to the B4016 which must be taken into consideration.
These are:
1) B4016 is a national speed limit road – this dictates the lateral safety zone (clearance) between live traffic and any works being undertaken
2) Existing B4016 carriageway is 6.0m wide ie. 3.0m running lane in either direction.
3) The new HIF road is approx. 1.0m higher than the existing B4016
4) Full depth tie-ins (1.1m carriageway depth) at the Western and Eastern tie-ins on the B4016 are required.

4. Mr. Russell Harman (Engineer and resident of Sutton Courtenay)
Mr Harman outlined his experience as a senior engineer working on major civil engineering projects including works with a significant rail element at home and overseas.
1) His presentation set out 4 Options, – see attached. His preferred option suggested a closure period limited to one or two short six weeks closure periods.
2) Mr Harman stressed that he only had access to published information and was offering the options to OCC and Graham Construction as helpful suggestions only.
3) He explained a number of engineering challenges and noted the tree removal along the B4016 next to Bridge Farm which was necessary to raise the road to tie-in with the HIF1 roadway which is circa 1.5-2m higher than the existing road elevation.
4) The presentation was warmly received.

5. Questions & Comments from the Floor
Some comments from the floor were heated and demonstrated the strong local opposition to a prolonged closure.
Issues raised included:
a) How emergency services would access Appleford residents such as travel time to the John Radcliffe Hospital in an emergency.
b) Travel times for school children will increase dramatically by as much as an hour or more and special bus arrangements and more trains stopping at Appleford are required during the construction period.
c) Diversion through Clifton Hampden was suggested but it was noted this route is open to periodic flooding and there will be construction works on the bypass and along the A415 likely to make it unattractive.
d) HGV traffic locally and deliveries to site through Sutton Courtenay and Abingdon will cause more congestion and will be an issue.
e) The BESS development in Appleford which is due to start construction next year has not been noted in the CTMP.
f) Mr Mann advised that the HIF team are aware of this and will be liaising with colleagues on traffic controls. He further advised that the CTMP is being developed and is not complete.
g) There was consensus that any road closure/s should take place during school holidays when traffic is less congested.
The meeting concluded with the expectation that further consultation and engagement is required and will take place as the construction plan develops.

Additional information:

Oxfordshire County Council have a project webpage which is updated regularly.
If you have any questions about the project email: hif1project@oxfordshire.gov.uk