Cow Lane in Didcot to get a makeover
Published Thursday 14 May 2026
Cow Lane in Didcot is to get a makeover next month, with new lighting, a clean-up of the underpass and the installation of a new piece of art commissioned by Didcot Garden Town.
The improvement work will create a brighter, safer and more welcoming route for the community and include an interactive light display consisting of panels along the pedestrian footpath side of the underpass, which will respond to movement as pedestrians travel through the space with subtle light animations.
The piece of art being installed is named “The Cow Lane Connecting Communities artworks” created by artists Raphael Daden and Second Nature Studio (formally Pixel Puppets). The installation will also remain illuminated even during periods of low pedestrian traffic, which will also add to the feeling of safety along the underpass for all users.
Six local community organisations contributed ideas for the artwork including Ladygrove Park Primary School, All Saints C of E Primary School, Didcot TRAIN and over 320 community members.
The council also had some great feedback from residents who were able to view some of the final design ideas in a postcard exhibition at Cornerstone Arts Centre last year.
Cllr Anne-Marie Simpson, Cabinet Member for Planning Policy including Garden Communities said: “The artwork installed at Didcot Parkway Station looks great, and I can’t wait to see the second stage of this community project in place.
“It has already created a warmth and colourful welcome as you arrive at the station and for that to continue as you head into the town is wonderful. It’s great to see so many different community organisations working together to contribute to the project and make it celebration of Didcot and the people that live and work here.
“We thank everyone in advance for their patience during the road closure while this work takes place.”
Emma Morris, GWR Senior Community Impact Manager said: “Our Customer and Community Improvement Fund is a superb programme that allows us to invest locally in projects that have a positive and meaningful impact for our customers and our communities.
“We’re proud to work together with South Oxfordshire District Council’s Didcot Garden Town team and Oxfordshire County Council to support the improvements to the Cow Lane underpass that will benefit both our customers and the wider Didcot Community.”
The artwork has been jointly funded by the government’s UKSPF (£36,000), Great Western Railway’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund (£15,000), and £10,000 previously allocated to public art through the South Oxfordshire District Council Didcot Garden Town Delivery Plan to help regenerate the area*.
The work in June is the second stage of the Connecting Communities project, following the installation of an artwork at Didcot Parkway Station in February. An outdoor gallery for residents and visitors is being designed to create a more positive, welcoming environment from the station and into Cow Lane underpass which is a key pedestrian and cycling route.
To allow the maintenance work to take place the underpass will be closed to vehicles from Sunday 7 to Wednesday 10 June between 9.30am and 3.30pm each day. With pedestrian and cycle access reopening from Monday 8 June.
* This funding covers all of the Cow Lane Connecting Communities Artwork project (Didcot Parkway and Cow Lane underpass)
