Cabinet, on 14 December 2022 (‘Cowley Branch Line Local Funding for Full Business Case’), resolved to: “Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Development), in consultation with the Council’s Section 151 Officer, the Head of Law and Governance, and the Cabinet Members for Health & Transport and for Finance & Asset Management to agree financial contributions and terms, and then enter into all relevant funding agreements and contracts.”

On 29 March 2023, the Council entered into Collaboration Agreement regarding the Design Phase of Cowley Branch Line (CBL), which included a funding allowance for “design-led studies to be procured which will relate to improving the connections to and the from the proposed two new stations, (termed the Infrastructure Place Study for this project)”.

To appoint Weston Williamson + Partners LLP using the Bloom Procurement Services Ltd framework to undertake feasibility and design work, in accordance with the RIBA stages, for a new public bridge for walking, wheeling, and cycling over the railway line from Sandy Lane to Blackbird Leys near the Cowley Branch Line’s proposed Oxford East station.  The CBL budget is £4,560,000; committed spend for the delivery of the Full Business Case and project Management (including legal support) is £3,576,145; the contract value for this commission is £133,484 with a remaining budget of £850,371.

The decision allows for the delivery of the required design work of the bridge, including its location which will inform the detailed design of the proposed Oxford East Station to enable the completion of the Full Business Case for the Cowley Branch Line project. RIBA Stage 1 and 2 design will enable a cost plan for the bridge to be produced and will also provide the necessary details to cost up the required infrastructure for the delivery of the Cowley Branch Line project.

The bridge will provide connectivity between Sandy Lane and the neighbourhoods and communities of Blackbird Leys and by being close to the Cowley Branch Line’s proposed Oxford East station this will also provide these communities with access to the station. A footbridge at this location has a strategic purpose to provide access to the station for a significant section of the local population. It would also provide direct local access to a main retail location, access to employment (ARC Oxford) and would tackle a major location for severance with around 1km between the two nearest roads across the railway line.

Not to proceed with design work will delay delivery of the Cowley Branch Line project, not being able to cost up the project and will also lead to potential abortive station design work resulting in additional costs.

Decision taken by Tom Bridgman, Executive Director (Development) in consultation with Nigel Kennedy, Head of Financial Services; Emma Jackman, Head of Law and Governance; Councillor Louise Upton, Cabinet Member for Health and Transport; and Councillor Ed Turner, Deputy Leader (Statutory) – Finance and Asset Management.