Appeal against plans for bridge refused

The council says the Oxpens River Bridge will contribute to better walking and cycling routes in the city

A campaign group has been left "very disappointed" after they were refused permission to appeal a high court ruling allowing a £14m bridge to be built.

Plans for the Oxpens River Bridge, which would link Oxford's Grandpont Nature Park to Oxpens Meadow, were first approved by the city council in April 2024.

In February, campaign group Friends of Grandpont Nature Park secured a judicial review into Oxford Cty Council's decision, which was later dismissed by the High Court.

The group then launched an appeal against the High Court ruling, but that has now been thrown out by the Court of Appeal.

In a statement, Friends of Grandpoint Nature Park said they were "very disappointed by the refusal" and that the bridge would be "destructive and unnecessary".

"We remind the council, however, that merely having the legal right to go ahead with their planned destruction of a precious natural and community asset does not also give them the obligation to go ahead", they said.

They added that the costs of the bridge were "growing at a rate of knots at a time when public money is desperately needed elsewhere" and urged residents "to stay strong and resolute, and to keep up the fight".

Oxford City Council's cabinet recently approved an additional £3.7m of funding towards the bridge.

The authority said the extra funding was needed due to the increase in construction costs caused by the judicial review delay.

The bridge, which is set to be built next year, is now expected to cost £14m.

Oxford City Council said: "The decision to dismiss the appeal into the Judicial Review decision enables the city council to continue to work towards the delivery of the pedestrian and cycle bridge between Oxpens and Grandpont Park, as initially proposed nearly 20 years ago."

"The city council is pleased that its approach to the decisions that have been taken has been found to be legally sound, and that the risk of further cost increases caused by another legal challenge has been avoided" the council added.