• Construction of section 1B (bridleway 285/7 from West Lockinge to School Road, Ardington; via Christopher's Wood) was completed on 24 June 2020.
• Construction of section 1E2 (new bridleway on farm track from Red Barn to Ginge Brook) was completed on 3 July 2020 (photos to follow with the next bulletin).
• On 18 June 2020 construction commenced on section 1H and 1i (byway 403/9 & restricted byway 119/17: Ginge Rd to Hungerford Rd)
• Construction of sections 1G2 and 1F2 (Ginge Brook crossing and byway 403/9 to Ginge Road) are progressing well and will be completed as per Route 1 Construction Programme in October 2020.  

• As with all our projects, we take the environmental impact very seriously and have completed multitude of environmental checks, assessments and specific site visits during design, and consulted with all relevant agencies where required. The environmental impact may seem extensive whilst we prepared the site for construction and during the works, but the overall impact is positive and will ensure sustainable way of travel for many cyclists and other users, especially, in light with the latest Government announcements related to Covid-19. This route is crucial for commuters to Harwell Campus and will  aid modal shift from cars to cycling in the future. This will keep contributing to the positive environmental impact for many years to come. 

• During design we also completed wide-ranging grounds investigations, soil sampling and testing. We carefully selected the materials to suit the AONB (Type 1 compacted stone) as opposed to tarmac. We agreed not to use edgings and we will be re-seeding all areas that require it after construction to make it as natural looking as possible. We are not proposing any lights or path-finders (i.e. i-glo discs), to prevent light pollution, and we minimised the use of bollards and signage where we could. The bridge deck and parapets are wooden and sustainably sourced from Europe.The wood will get darker with time, leaving the area look symbiotic.

• Detailed design was submitted on 7 July and is currently being reviewed before procurement can commence. The approved drawings will be available on the project page with the August update. 
• Application to Environment Agency (EA) for working in close proximity to a river was submitted on 8 June. Construction is programmed for early September 2020.
• Planning permission was granted by Vale of White Horse Planning Authority, on 25 June, to provide a 700m long x 3m wide, combined cycle and pedestrian route.
• Scheduled Ancient Monument consent was also granted, in June by the Secretary of State, for the works to proceed as per the submitted design, subject to certain conditions being adhered to. 

• Taylor Wimpey have resumed construction activities on some of their projects and re-started the final stages of procurement for this section in June. The contractor has recently been appointed and final preparatory works, including notices, letter to residents and signing of the s278 agreement are underway and are expected to be completed by 24 July.
• The construction is scheduled to start on 27 July, subject to above activities being finalised. Construction completion is programmed for end of March 2021.

• Detailed design is underway and is due to be completed w/c 20 July. EA application, for working on a flood plain and near the river was submitted on 25 June. Construction is scheduled for late September with advanced vegetation clearance starting early September. (*providing there is sufficient funding available to proceed to construction).

• Detailed design has been resumed in June and the final drawings will be submitted w/c 27 July. Procurement is scheduled to start w/c 3 August and construction will commence in September.

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