Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, approved a contract for the construction of the Didcot Science Bridge and also approved tendering for new leachate treatment contracts at Dean Pit, Dix Pit, and Oakley Wood. The meeting also covered declarations of interest, questions from county councillors, petitions and public addresses, and the minutes of the previous meeting.

Didcot Science Bridge Contractor Appointment

A contract for the construction of the Didcot Science Bridge scheme under the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF1) programme was approved, and the Director of Environment and Highways was authorised to finalise the contract terms with the preferred bidder. The Didcot Science Bridge is a key part of the wider HIF1 programme, which aims to improve connectivity between Didcot and Culham, reduce congestion, and support the delivery of over 12,655 new homes and significant employment growth across the Science Vale.

The bridge will link the A4130 Milton Gate junction with the A4130 Northern Perimeter Road, and includes segregated walking and cycling facilities.

The project is funded through the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) grant, with contributions from council capital allocations, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP), and Section 106 agreements¹. Two bids were submitted for the construction contract, procured under the NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) Option C² via Lot 4 of the PAGABO National Framework for Civils and Infrastructure. One bid was non-compliant, and the other was considered the most economically advantageous.

According to the report:

Delay in contract award would risk non-delivery of key milestones, loss of confidence from funders, and potential withdrawal of grant funding.

The project's timeline includes:

• Planning Approval: December 2024
• Contractor into Contract: December 2025
• Infrastructure Start on Site: April 2026
• Contract with Main contractor: December 2026
• Homes England End of funding period: March 2028
• Land Acquisition: January 2026
• Enabling Works: December 2025 – March 2026
• Main Construction: April 2026 – March 2028

Leachate Treatment Contract

The Cabinet Member approved the procurement of up to three contracts for the collection, transport, and treatment of leachate³ from the closed landfill sites at Dean Pit, Dix Pit, and Oakley Wood. The Director of Environment & Highways was delegated the authority to award the contracts and negotiate with contractors, including Fomento de Construcciones y Conrates (FCC Environment UK Limited) for the Dix Pit contract.

The contracts will be awarded for three years, with the option to extend for up to three more years. The council has a legal, financial, and environmental responsibility for managing leachate from these sites. The new contracts are intended to give the council greater control over the service and ensure legal compliance.

The annual cost of this service can vary significantly based on climate and rainfall, with costs potentially exceeding £1 million per year. The estimated annual average tonnages and costs per site are:

The report notes a recent increase in treatment costs for leachate from Dix Pit due to a change in legislation, and the potential for further legislative changes related to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that may impact the contract.

The contract and service provision aligns with the council's corporate policies and priorities, including addressing the climate emergency, prioritising the health and wellbeing of residents, and preserving and improving access to nature and green spaces.