Camp Road Update from Oxfordshire County Council

I would just like to provide you with a further update following our meeting today with DWH/ECL regarding the ongoing works at Camp Road.

Following detailed discussions, all parties agreed that the works can continue, but only under a significantly enhanced level of oversight and in full compliance with strict traffic management requirements, agreed working practices, and all relevant safety regulations. DWH/ECL have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the safety of their workforce, residents, road users, and all members of the public who may be affected by these works. Safety remains the overriding priority for everyone involved.

As part of the agreed actions, all existing traffic management will be stood down and removed from Camp Road today. This will allow for a fresh start when works recommence on Monday 20/07/2026. Before any activity is permitted to begin on site, Oxfordshire County Council will have a representative present to ensure that all agreed traffic management measures, safety controls, and operational requirements have been fully implemented. Works will not be allowed to proceed unless we are satisfied that all necessary arrangements are in place and operating correctly.

In addition to this, further measures have been introduced to strengthen site security and public safety. This will include the installation of CCTV cameras to monitor the traffic management arrangements and help ensure that equipment, barriers, and road closure measures are not tampered with. Unfortunately, previous incidents have demonstrated the risks associated with unauthorised interference, and it is essential that we take all reasonable steps to prevent similar occurrences moving forward.

I would be grateful if you could share this update with local residents and emphasise the importance of complying with the traffic management measures that will be in place. Any person found interfering with traffic management equipment, moving barriers, removing signage, or otherwise altering the approved arrangements without the appropriate authority, training, or consent will be committing an offence. Should individuals be identified through CCTV evidence, we will not hesitate to refer matters to Thames Valley Police, who are already aware of previous incidents in the area. Where appropriate, we will support prosecution action, as unauthorised alterations to traffic management arrangements create significant safety risks and place both workers and members of the public in danger.

The incidents we have witnessed previously, including barriers being moved and vehicles driving through active road closures, created an unacceptable situation that was effectively waiting for a serious accident to occur. Such actions undermine carefully planned safety measures and could have resulted in injury to contractors, road users, pedestrians, or local residents. This is not a situation that Oxfordshire County Council, DWH, or ECL can condone, and we are determined to ensure it does not happen again.

To provide greater assurance and accountability, a dedicated Senior Officer and Network Coordination Officer will be assigned to oversee these works throughout their duration. They will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with the contractor, monitoring compliance with the agreed arrangements, carrying out site inspections, and ensuring that any concerns are addressed promptly. Daily checks and regular updates will continue so that issues can be identified and resolved at the earliest opportunity.

For transparency, I will also attach the meeting minutes and agreed action log from today’s discussions for your review. These documents set out the responsibilities and commitments agreed by all parties and provide further detail on the measures being implemented before works recommence.

Finally, I would like to thank you for the support and assistance you have provided throughout this matter. Your engagement with residents and your willingness to work collaboratively with all parties involved has been greatly appreciated. I look forward to your continued support as we work through the remaining challenges associated with these works and strive to deliver them safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to the local community.

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I would just like to provide you with a further update following our meeting today with DWH/ECL regarding the ongoing works at Camp Road.

Following detailed discussions, all parties agreed that the works can continue, but only under a significantly enhanced level of oversight and in full compliance with strict traffic management requirements, agreed working practices, and all relevant safety regulations. DWH/ECL have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the safety of their workforce, residents, road users, and all members of the public who may be affected by these works. Safety remains the overriding priority for everyone involved.

As part of the agreed actions, all existing traffic management will be stood down and removed from Camp Road today. This will allow for a fresh start when works recommence on Monday 20/07/2026. Before any activity is permitted to begin on site, Oxfordshire County Council will have a representative present to ensure that all agreed traffic management measures, safety controls, and operational requirements have been fully implemented. Works will not be allowed to proceed unless we are satisfied that all necessary arrangements are in place and operating correctly.

In addition to this, further measures have been introduced to strengthen site security and public safety. This will include the installation of CCTV cameras to monitor the traffic management arrangements and help ensure that equipment, barriers, and road closure measures are not tampered with. Unfortunately, previous incidents have demonstrated the risks associated with unauthorised interference, and it is essential that we take all reasonable steps to prevent similar occurrences moving forward.

I would be grateful if you could share this update with local residents and emphasise the importance of complying with the traffic management measures that will be in place. Any person found interfering with traffic management equipment, moving barriers, removing signage, or otherwise altering the approved arrangements without the appropriate authority, training, or consent may be committing an offence. Should individuals be identified through CCTV evidence, we will not hesitate to refer matters to Thames Valley Police, who are already aware of previous incidents in the area. Where appropriate, we will support prosecution action, as unauthorised alterations to traffic management arrangements create significant safety risks and place both workers and members of the public in danger.

The incidents we have witnessed previously, including barriers being moved and vehicles driving through active road closures, created an unacceptable situation that was effectively waiting for a serious accident to occur. Such actions undermine carefully planned safety measures and could have resulted in injury to contractors, road users, pedestrians, or local residents. This is not a situation that Oxfordshire County Council, DWH, or ECL can condone, and we are determined to ensure it does not happen again.

To provide greater assurance and accountability, a dedicated Senior Officer and Network Coordination Officer will be assigned to oversee these works throughout their duration. They will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with the contractor, monitoring compliance with the agreed arrangements, carrying out site inspections, and ensuring that any concerns are addressed promptly. Daily checks and regular updates will continue so that issues can be identified and resolved at the earliest opportunity.

For transparency, I will also attach the meeting minutes and agreed action log from today’s discussions for your review. These documents set out the responsibilities and commitments agreed by all parties and provide further detail on the measures being implemented before works recommence.

Finally, I would like to thank you for the support and assistance you have provided throughout this matter. Your engagement with residents and your willingness to work collaboratively with all parties involved has been greatly appreciated. I look forward to your continued support as we work through the remaining challenges associated with these works and strive to deliver them safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to the local community.

Minutes attached here:

1. Current Position

• The Section 278 works are substantially complete. Some remedial works remain outstanding and will be planned and delivered at a later date.
• Works will cease on 14 July 2026, with the site to be fully cleared and made safe.

2. Traffic Management Arrangements

• CORE TM will be removed from the project and replaced by Signals.
• Temporary height restriction barriers will be installed on Portway and Kirtlington Road to deter HGVs from using unsuitable routes.
• Two Traffic Management Operatives (TMOs) will remain in place on Portway and Kirtlington Road for an initial period of two weeks, after which the requirement will be reviewed.
• The four-way temporary traffic signals at the Station Road junction will remain in place, with intelligent signal technology to be used to improve traffic flow.
• The traffic management provider will provide Amanda van der Schyff with the intelligent signal specification sheet.
• One TMO will be positioned at the temporary traffic signals during peak traffic periods (07:00–09:30 and 15:30–19:00). This arrangement will be reviewed after two weeks.
• Larger traffic management signage, including Variable Message Signs (VMS), will be introduced to improve driver awareness.
• CCTV will be installed, accompanied by appropriate warning signage.
• Two-hourly maintenance inspections will be undertaken daily to ensure traffic management remains compliant and operational.

3. Working Arrangements

• Working hours will be extended to 08:00–18:00, including weekend working where appropriate, to maximise productivity and reduce the overall duration of the works.

4. Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

• David Wilson Homes will issue updated resident letters providing information on the revised programme and ongoing works.
• Improved stakeholder communications were identified as a key requirement moving forward.

5. Programme

• The site will be fully cleared on 14 July 2026.
• Traffic management will be pre-installed on Sunday 19 July 2026.
• Works are scheduled to recommence on Monday 20 July 2026.
• An OCC Inspector will attend site at approximately 09:00 on Monday 20 July 2026 to review the site setup and traffic management arrangements.