Oxford Seeks £10m Bridge Rescue Package to Lift Long-Running Weight Restrictions

Oxfordshire County Council has turned to the Government's £1bn Structures Fund in a bid to restore full access to one of Oxford's busiest Thames crossings, after two years of restrictions disrupted buses, freight and commuters.

A key bridge on Oxford's inner ring road could be restored to full capacity after Oxfordshire County Council submitted a funding bid to overhaul the ageing structure.

The authority is seeking £8 million from the Government's Structures Fund to strengthen Donnington Bridge, which has been operating under a weight restriction since structural deterioration was identified during inspections in 2024.

If the application is approved, the council will contribute a further £2 million, creating a £10 million package to carry out the necessary strengthening works.

Vital River Crossing Under Pressure

Donnington Bridge carries the B4495 across the River Thames and is one of only a handful of crossings serving Oxford's inner road network.

Since the weight restriction was introduced, heavy goods vehicles and several bus services have been forced to divert, increasing journey times and placing additional pressure on surrounding routes.

To help maintain public transport connections, the council has operated a dedicated shuttle bus service using its own fleet of minibuses since late 2024.

Restoring the bridge to full loading capacity would allow buses and freight traffic to return to their normal routes while easing congestion across the wider network.

Competing for National Infrastructure Funding

The council hopes the project will secure support from the Government's £1 billion Structures Fund, established to help local authorities tackle ageing bridges, tunnels and flyovers that are becoming increasingly expensive to maintain.

The programme forms part of the Government's wider 10-Year Infrastructure Strategy and is intended to address structures that many councils would struggle to repair using local budgets alone.

Alongside strengthening deteriorating assets, the fund aims to improve the resilience of transport infrastructure against increasing traffic demands and the effects of extreme weather.

The Structures Fund sits within the Government's wider £24 billion investment package for road and rail maintenance announced in the 2025 Spending Review.

Restoring a Key Transport Link

According to Oxfordshire County Council, strengthening Donnington Bridge would deliver benefits well beyond the structure itself.

As well as allowing unrestricted access for heavy vehicles, the scheme is expected to improve bus reliability, reduce congestion on diversion routes and support the more efficient movement of goods around the city.

Given the bridge's strategic position on Oxford's highway network, restoring its full carrying capacity is seen as a key part of improving network resilience.

Council Confident in Bid

Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, said Donnington Bridge plays a critical role in connecting residential communities with major employment centres including Oxford city centre, Cowley, Headington and Littlemore.

She said the restrictions introduced in 2024 had created significant disruption for residents, public transport operators and freight traffic while reducing the overall efficiency of the city's road network.

Leffman added that the council had worked extensively to prepare the funding submission and believes the project meets the Government's assessment criteria.

If successful, the investment would allow the bridge to return to full operation, removing one of the most significant transport constraints affecting Oxford's highway network and restoring a vital crossing for residents, businesses and public transport alike.