HOPES of government funding for a new Thames bridge that could transform Abingdon have received a major boost.

A firm commitment to push for a new Thames crossing is included in a key planning document to further develop the region as a world leader in science.

It is believed a crossing at Culham could end the chronic congestion in Abingdon, allowing a high proportion of traffic clogging roads to bypass the town.

Now it seems the area’s development as a powerhouse of science could prove pivotal in securing government backing.

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To the delight of campaigners, a new Thames bridge is included in the draft Science Vale Area Action Plan, the first joint planning document by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District councils.

The report makes clear investment in roads will be crucial to Science Vale reaching its potential over the next 15 to 20 years.

Angie Paterson and Mike Murray – the councils’ respective cabinet members for planning policy – pledged to “seek additional major pieces of road infrastructure that cross our district boundaries, such as a new Thames river crossing at Culham.”

They said: “We will achieve this through the councils working together alongside the three centres for science (Culham Science Centre, Harwell Campus and Milton Park), key stakeholders, partners and local residents.”

The document also calls for faster rail connections to Heathrow, improved local connections to Oxford, further improvements at Didcot and Culham stations and a new station at Grove.

The new bridge would form part of plans for a new road linking Didcot to Abingdon, probably running from the northern Didcot perimeter road (the A4130) to the A415 between Abingdon and Berinsfield. Mike Badcock, Vale of White Horse District Council chairman, said: “I have campaigned for a bridge for more than 30 years.

“The cost would be enormous but it would bring massive benefits to Abingdon, taking traffic that would otherwise go through Abingdon directly to the A34.”

The Government created the Science Vale Enterprise Zone in 2011 to attract new businesses to locations in the area including Harwell Oxford and Milton Park.

Mr Badcock’s daughter Alice Badcock, an Abingdon town councillor, said: “It would solve the enormous traffic issues in Abingdon, particularly south Abingdon.”