Oxford campaign group questions council over bridge spending
Allegations of misuse of funds for bridge construction in Oxford
An Oxford campaign group is escalating its allegations of “illegal misuse” of £1.5 million of taxpayers’ money after receiving an “unsatisfactory” response.
Friends of Grandpont Nature Park have alleged over £1 million in Homes England infrastructure funding is being wrongly used by Oxford City Council for the Oxpens River Bridge project.
The funding should only be used to enable new housing development, but the campaigners say this is not the purpose of the scheme, and new homes could be built without the bridge.
Dan Glazebrook, a member of the group, describes the project as “extortionate”, adding that it would “destroy much of the only woodland on the main path through the nature park, the most used and most loved section of the site, in order to essentially replicate the two existing footbridges within a quarter of a mile”.
The group is against the “gradual urbanisation of the nature reserve, taking away a chunk of woodland”, which Dan says is “the closest thing to countryside” for nearby residents.
He questioned why a new bridge was being built amid ongoing issues with Donnington Bridge, closed to buses, and Cottesmore footbridge, which is closed completely.
Dan explained the group’s complaint to Homes England was made in May 2025, with a response promised within 10 days.
He said a response was “only finally received” on February 13, 2026, “following intervention by a local MP”.
Then, “the inadequate nature of that response led us to lodge a ‘Stage 2’ complaint with Homes England” on February 15, with a response “promised” by March 15 – received in June.
Dan described 12 missed deadlines with the complaint, an “inaccurate” reply, which “seemed to be making excuses for the council to try and justify their misuse of the funds”.
The group wants the funding to be handed back to Homes England and an end to the project.
An Oxford City Council spokesperson said: “The Friends of Grandpont have previously sought a Judicial Review of the planning decision relating to the Oxpens River Bridge and pathworks.
“The challenge was dismissed by the judge on all five grounds.”
They described the project Oxpens River Bridge and path works as “a central element of the wider West End regeneration programme, which will create a vibrant and accessible district that prioritises sustainable transport while protecting and enhancing green infrastructure”.
They added: “The proposed path works are funded by Homes England grant that is for infrastructure.
“The city council is therefore unable to use this funding for alternative projects, including general bridge maintenance or directly delivering housing.
“The proposals have been amended to significantly reduce the number of trees it is necessary to remove and new tree planting will take place as part of the proposals which will compensate for the trees removed.”
They said the council “remains committed” to the plans and “work is underway with the project scheduled for completion in spring 2027.”
A spokesperson for Homes England said: “This matter is subject to an ongoing complaints procedure, so we are unable to provide a comment.”