Oxfordshire County Council is facing calls to secure central government financing for bridge maintenance work in Oxford.

A new government programme is offering English local authorities support to tackle declining infrastructure.

Donnington Bridge requires about £4 million in renovation after bus services were halted in 2024.

A major scheme to renew the ageing Kennington railway bridge is encountering setbacks due to a shortfall of some £71 million in available funding.

Oxford Labour stated that numerous city bridges are in a degraded state and voiced approval for the fresh funding route.

A party spokesperson said the council ought to submit a bid to this fund and step up its examination and maintenance activities.

Isis county councillor Brad Baines noted that serious worries persist about uncertainty surrounding Donnington Bridge’s prospects.

The council has refused to commit resources to either reinforcing or replacing the structure, or to resuming bus crossings.

An engineering evaluation confirmed the bridge must either be mended or replaced before regular buses can use it again.

Renovation might cost £4 million and take two years, while complete reconstruction could reach £30 million and require substantially longer.

The council advised that investigative work on possible solutions is expected to conclude by summer, although enlarging services would, unfortunately, be impossible.

Oxford resident and campaigner Siobhan Lancaster said south and east Oxford dwellers need certainty about this vital structure’s future, and the new funding stream could provide that.

The campaigner continued urging the council to give this reassurance, pursue these funds, and move forward with the work.

An Oxfordshire County Council representative said the authority welcomes any supplementary resources directed at repairing such structures.

Oxfordshire has many heritage bridges and other assets needing attention, and officials will review what is required so the county obtains its fair share.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, who recently encountered one of Oxfordshire’s road dangers herself, said crumbling bridges and deteriorating overpasses have received makeshift repairs rather than lasting remedies for too long, causing frustrating load restrictions and lengthy diversions.

Every unavailable bridge holds back economic growth, disrupts travel to work, holds up deliveries, and stops families from reaching vital amenities.

Councils have known about required maintenance for years but simply lacked the financial means to act.

The government is changing this, making certain structures receive proper repairs so people can live in genuinely linked communities.

Funding decisions will be announced in autumn 2026, with all approved schemes required to complete work by March 2030.