A44 highway section 278 agreement works update

Cyclists, pedestrians, bus passengers and other road users are all set to benefit from work to upgrade a length of the A44 at Wolvercote.

Oxford North is transforming the area as an exciting extension to the city, creating a highly accessible and connected new district for Oxford.  

As part of this, the project is helping people to move safely around Oxford North and the local area in the most sustainable ways through investment into improving the walking, cycling, bus and highway networks.

TWO’s contractor, Hill Group, has commenced the A44 highway vegetation clearance between Wolvercote and Peartree roundabouts, as per its section 278 legal agreement, in preparation for the future A44 improvement works which will see a tree lined street with upgraded cycle lanes, new bus stops and lanes and the speed limit reduced to 30 mph.

In advance of the vegetation removal, Oxford North’s Ecological Clerk of Works has been to site to carry out the necessary wildlife checks.

All stump material, branches and twigs from the vegetation clearance will be converted into biomass fuel.

As part of Oxford North’s biodiversity commitment, in November/December during the bare root planting season, a 294-metre new double thickness native hedgerow buffer will be planted on Eastside alongside Network Rail’s Oxford and Oxford Parkway line (see image above) which will enable early growth.

The new hedgerow will be made up of:

CRATAEGUS MONOGYNA (HAWTHORNE)

ACER CAMPESTRE (FIELD MAPLE)

SAMBUCUS NIGRA (ELDER)

LIGUSTRUM SP (PRIVET)

CORYLUS AVELLANA (HAZEL)

CORNUS KOUSA (DOGWOOD)

ROSA CANINA (DOG ROSE)

VIBURNUM LANTANA (WAYFARING ROSE)

VIBURNUM OPULUS (GUELDER ROSE).