Roadworks by the housing developer David Wilson Homes at the Peachcroft roundabout are set to coincide with Oxfordshire County Council’s project at the A34 Lodge Hill junction for around six weeks, starting on Monday 28 September. The two sites are linked by a stretch of the A4183 Oxford Road.

The council is working closely with both project teams and contractors to coordinate the works effectively and implement the most appropriate traffic management.

Every effort is being made to sequence activities efficiently, maintain access where practicable, and reduce unnecessary disruption to residents, businesses, public transport operators, and all road users.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, said: “As highways authority, we would not normally permit two schemes like this to go ahead so close to each other at the same, due to the risk of creating additional congestion and delay.

“However, these are exceptional circumstances and allowing them to take place together will reduce the overall duration of the disruption and avoid delays to either of these vital schemes.”

Work at the Peachcroft roundabout, which connects the A4183, Dunmore Road and Twelve Acre Drive, will have temporary traffic lights in place to manage the flow of traffic.

Work at the Lodge Hill junction will involve two-way temporary traffic lights on the A4183 between the entrance to the Lodge Hill garage and the start of the new south roundabout. This set-up is in addition to the series of overnight closures on the A34 southbound between 21 September - 5 October.

Cllr Leffman added: “While some delays may be unavoidable, traffic management measures have been carefully considered to balance the need to complete these improvements safely with the need to keep traffic moving through the area. The works are also being monitored, allowing adjustments to be made where appropriate to minimise congestion.

“We recognise that the likely disruption will be frustrating, but we believe the short-term inconvenience will help deliver long-term benefits for the community and those travelling through Abingdon.”

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From 21 September, Oxfordshire County Council will be carrying out traffic signal installation and improvement work to Islip Bridge to keep it safe, improve pedestrian access and reduce unsuitable through‑traffic in the village.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, said: “The work is needed because the bridge has deteriorated due to higher traffic volumes, including heavier vehicles. Action is required to protect the bridge and ensure safe use for everyone.

“We appreciate that the scheme is likely to cause significant disruption, but we will endeavour to complete the work as safely and quickly as possible.”

The first phase, from 21-25 September, will involve temporary traffic signals for preparation works.

Phase two, from 28 September - 20 November, involves the full closure of Islip Bridge to all motor vehicles, including buses. A signed diversion route will be in place, although pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained at all times.

The work will include the installation of permanent three-way traffic signals controlling vehicle movements across Islip Bridge; narrowing the carriageway to three metres to protect the bridge structure; installing a new 1.5 metre-wide footway on the west side of the bridge; and traffic calming on the southern approach.

Drainage repairs, resurfacing, footway improvements and new road markings will also be carried out, while Mill Street will be made one-way in advance of the scheme.

Staff will be present at either end of the bridge during the closure to manage safety and provide assistance.

Access to nearby properties and businesses will be accommodated where possible, although short delays may occur.

During the bridge closure, the H5 bus service between Bicester and the John Radcliffe Hospital will serve Islip from the north and then follow the diversion via Kidlington Road, Bicester Road, A40, to Barton and vice versa. 

A shuttle service will operate between Barton and the bus stop on the south side of the bridge.

The work was scheduled to take place after the summer harvest period, when agricultural traffic flows are lower. This helps reduce the impact on the surrounding road network, supports local communities and helps reduce the risk of delays.

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As highways authority, the council said it would issue fines and other fees – likely to total tens of thousands of pounds – against the company for closing the slip road in Marston without a valid permit, leading to an increase in heavy traffic travelling through the villages of Elsfield and Woodeaton.

By failing to obtain the necessary permit and working outside the agreed statutory process, the company prevented the council from managing the wider impact of the roadworks to minimise disruption.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “It’s completely unacceptable that they did this unilaterally and without agreement.

“We, as highways authority, need to agree and schedule roadworks in a planned and considered way and I will be challenging this company about why this happened.

“It has caused immense disruption to residents who have seen heavy goods vehicles, double decker buses and a huge amount of traffic diverted on to a single-track road through their tiny villages.

“This must not happen again, and we will be making that perfectly clear to the utility company involved while also making sure that this work is completed as soon as possible.”

The council has taken formal enforcement action in relation to the permit breach. A fixed penalty notice has been issued in accordance with national regulations – the highest level of penalty ordinarily available for this category of permit offence.

In May, the council’s lane rental scheme came into force – a system which allows it to charge companies up to £2,500 per day for working on the busiest roads at peak traffic times.

As the work took place on a designated lane rental road during periods where charging applies, the firm is expected to face fees of around £60,000.

Council officers will continue discussions with the company to ensure that appropriate improvements are made and that a similar situation does not arise again.

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Oxfordshire County Council will carry out drainage improvements on Buttercross Lane from 3 – 28 August. The road will be shut from its junction with Willowbank while the work is carried out.

As the route is the only means of vehicular access, traffic management including marshals will be in place to manage the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Councillor Liz Leffman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Construction and Repair, said: “Residents have had to put up with flooding at this location for far too long due to a lack of proper maintenance by the developer prior to the road’s adoption by the council as highways authority.

“Officers have worked hard to come up with a solution to this problem, which was far from straightforward to resolve. Once completed, this should significantly reduce the risk of the road flooding whenever there is heavy rain.

“Although marshals will be present while the work takes place, there may be times when it is not possible for people to gain immediate passage through the site. When this happens, we would ask for patience and co-operation from the public.”

Before the project begins, survey work will take place to identify the depth of underground apparatus throughout the site. This element could result in some delays for those wishing access through the site.

Warning signs will be installed at the junction of Station Lane and Buttercross Lane two weeks before the start date.

During the work, one side of the carriageway will be left open, when feasible to do so, to allow residents to move through the site.

Temporary ramps will be installed on the kerb line to assist larger vehicles that need to travel through the site. This operation will be done under the guidance of one of the marshals.

Overnight barriers will be installed at the site while the work takes place, although one lane will be left open to enable the public to exit and enter Buttercross Lane.

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Secondary school pupils showcased their creativity and passion for sustainable travel at a lively pitch event held at Oxfordshire County Council’s County Hall in Oxford on 19 March.

As part of the county council’s travel champions programme, students from Fitzharrys School in Abingdon and The Warriner School in Banbury pitched their active travel campaigns to a panel of judges, competing for £200 to help bring their ideas to life.

The judging panel of Councillor Andrew Gant and Councillor Emily Kerr representing the county and city councils respectively, and Ellie Clarke‑Jacques, from Active Oxfordshire, offered feedback and encouragement.

Students from The Warriner School, a rural school where many pupils travel by bus or car, focused their campaign on promoting respectful travel and car sharing. Meanwhile, pupils from Fitzharrys School set out to encourage more pupils to walk to school, boosting physical activity and improving local air quality. Both teams impressed the judges and were named joint winners, each receiving £200 to help deliver their campaigns.

Cllr Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “It was wonderful to hear the brilliant ideas and fresh perspectives the teams brought for ways their schools can engage their communities and inspire more sustainable travel. I am really looking forward to seeing their ideas take shape as they build their plans.”

Students described the experience of presenting in the council chamber as “inspiring” and “educational”, calling it a “good experience [we] were fortunate and proud to have.”

Following the event, the pupils will take part in a further session focused on marketing, before delivering and evaluating their campaigns and contributing to their school travel plans.

_{Image shows the winning student teams from Fitzharrys and Warriner schools with Councillor Emily Kerr - Oxfordshire County Council Active Travel Champion, and Oxford City Council; Councillor Andrew Gant - Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Transport Management; and Ellie Clarke-Jacques from Active Oxfordshire.}

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Utility firms such as water, electricity, gas and broadband providers, plus developers and other companies, often intervene on road networks, leading to delays and congestion.

A lane rental scheme, which Oxfordshire County Council applied for in 2023 and was approved by the government last November, allows a highway authority to charge up to £2,500 per day for work on the busiest roads at peak traffic times.

Roads included in the Oxfordshire scheme, which begins on 5 May, are listed on the council’s website.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “It is in everyone’s interests for utility companies to minimise the impact their work has on our highway network, and a lane rental scheme is one way to achieve this.

“If they know they are going to be charged for the length of time they spend there, it is an incentive to complete the job as swiftly as possible. We look forward to being able to implement it and reap the benefits for everyone in Oxfordshire.”

Charges will apply during peak periods, including weekends and bank holidays, except on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Emergency safety repairs are granted a 48 hour grace period.

The LRS incentivises those working on the highway to prioritise off peak hours and to complete the work as quickly as possible to reduce their costs.

It also encourages greater use of new technology to speed up the work and more collaboration between promoters where costs can be shared.

Any surplus money raised by the council will be used to help manage and improve the highway network.

The council has been operating a permit scheme for road and street works since 2020 and receives about 30,000 requests a year. These requests are coordinated, inspected and enforced to reduce the impact on the travelling public.

However, the permit scheme – which will continue to operate – only allows council costs to be recovered and, unlike LRS, doesn’t allow the council to impose specific charges to discourage those requesting to work on the busiest roads at the busiest times.

The council’s own roadworks will not be exempt from the charges.

Roughly nine per cent of the highway network is liable for charges, based on factors such as traffic volume, pedestrian flow and bus frequency.

Similar schemes already operate in London, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex and government evaluations have shown each to be an effective way to reduce the duration of work and the impact of resulting congestion on the busiest parts of road networks.

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Starting later this month, Go Electric Oxfordshire events are happening in every district to allow residents to learn about EVs and explore the wide range of vehicles and charging solutions that are currently available.

The events are open to all and are organised in partnership between Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire’s city and district councils, with support from Let’s Experience Electric.

Councillor Ben Higgins, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Future Economy and Innovation, said: “These fabulous, free events are part of our overall programme to provide a confidence boost to drivers looking to switch to EV and build on our leadership in this field.

“Alongside hugely expanding Oxfordshire’s public EV charging network, we also want residents to simply feel better informed and more familiar with the types of electric vehicles that more of us will be driving in the near future.”

The series kicks off on Saturday 21 March at the Woolgate Centre in Witney from 10am - 3pm. To register your interest visit the Eventbrite website.

Attendees can test drive models from a range of local dealerships, receive tips from experts and explore options such as car clubs and leasing. There will also be e-bikes to try and lots of practical information on things like renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Councillor Andrew Prosser, West Oxfordshire District Council’s Executive Member for Climate Action and Nature Recovery, said: “I’m thrilled to see a large scale event like this coming to Witney and helping give our residents real world experiences with electric vehicles.

“I’d encourage West Oxfordshire residents to visit and discover how it feels to drive an EV and explore the various ways it might be more viable than you think to make the switch.”

Free EV test drives will be available across a wide range of vehicles of all shapes and sizes and to suit all budgets.

Attendees can also find out more about Oxfordshire’s plans to expand the public EV charging network and to explore other charging options such as charger sharing and cable channels.

Further events are planned for Abingdon, Banbury, Oxford and Didcot later this year. More information is available at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/goelectric

Funding for these events comes from a combination of Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) grant funding from the government and contributions from local car dealerships and other stallholders.

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The five on-call firefighters, based in Abingdon, all live in the town and are close to the fire station. They share their story in the lead up to International Women’s Day, taking place on Sunday 8 March.

Emily Potter, firefighter in Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, and part of the all female crew, said: “For as long as I can remember we’ve had female on-call firefighters based in Abingdon, and across many of our other fire stations too. 

“What’s different now is that through a combination of training, availability and living locally, the five of us can crew a fire appliance together when needed.

"We’ve worked incredibly hard to gain the necessary skills so we can respond together as an all female crew. Our commitment shows just how capable and determined we are and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved together.

“It’s been an empowering experience, a journey of camaraderie, supported by our chief fire officer and colleagues at the station, and I hope it encourages more women to see firefighting as a career for them.”

Overall, Abingdon Fire Station has 17 on-call firefighters, 12 males and five females. They work alongside 12 full-time crew members, ten males and two females.

On-call firefighters participate in a wide range of activities in their local area, from responding to emergency calls to providing prevention advice to help keep residents safe and, ultimately, to save lives.

As on-call firefighters, the five all female crew have other jobs outside of the service but make themselves available at certain times to respond to emergency calls. When this happens, they will quickly make their way to their fire station from home, work or wherever they happen to be, all aided by living locally.

On-call firefighters are offered a flexible shift pattern to fit around their studies, work and family commitments, to attract a wide range of people to the service.

Emily is currently working as an engineer. She has been an on-call firefighter for over seven years. Her fellow crew members are Anastasia Osborne, Kayleigh Williams, Maria Alegria and Karen Bellcourt.

Maria, an on-call firefighter for nearly four years, works at London Oxford Airport, while Kayleigh, a mum of two, is a photographer who has been an on-call firefighter for three years.

Anastasia has been an on-call firefighter for nearly two years, and is employed as a firefighter at RAF Brize Norton.

Karen, a mum of three and an on-call firefighter for over four years, also works as a student health and safety adviser at Abingdon and Witney College.

Karen said: “Being able to respond from my primary employment, close to the fire station, makes being an on-call firefighter achievable for me, and the flexibility and support of my employer is brilliant.

“Working alongside my female colleagues as part of the wider Abingdon crew is both an honour and a privilege. Through supporting our community and one another, we live the spirit of ‘give to gain,’ proving that when we step forward and give, we all grow stronger together.”

Rob MacDougall, Chief Fire Officer, Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, said: “As we mark International Women’s Day, it’s especially important to recognise the dedication of the Abingdon crew and our commitment to equal opportunities across our fire and rescue service. We now have 56 female operational firefighters in Oxfordshire.

“We’ve come a long way since our first all female fire crew over 20 years ago in Faringdon and I remember thinking back then that we’d achieve it again. Now we have at Abingdon.

“Here in Oxfordshire, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation, welcoming applications from everyone with the right attributes. If you’ve got what it takes to be a firefighter we’d love to hear from you.

“Our crew at Abingdon Fire Station is a brilliant example of what can be achieved when we embrace diversity and promote inclusivity.”

Rebecca Rimmer, Watch Manager at Faringdon Fire Station, reflects on being part of the first all female crew in Faringdon two decades ago: “I have gained so much from my career in the fire service. It’s pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many positive ways and allowed me to gain skills that I’ve applied in all aspects of my life, even in my most important job of being a mum to my two children.

“Twenty years ago, being in that groundbreaking all female crew based at Faringdon felt like breaking through a glass ceiling. We had to go that extra mile to prove we were just as capable as the men in dealing with the daily physical and mental challenges the role entails.

“It’s taken longer than I expected to see another all female crew in place, but we’ve got there and now I hope the Abingdon team will inspire more women to consider a role as an on-call firefighter where a flexible work pattern can be put in place to work around family commitments, career or studies, or indeed a full-time firefighter.”

Attributes and requirements needed by on-call firefighters include:

• a strong desire to support the local community
• enthusiasm for working as part of a team
• a reasonable level of fitness
• living or working within a close distance to the local fire station (approximately five minutes).

Further information about becoming an on-call firefighter is available by emailing fire.recruitment@oxfordshire.gov.uk or from Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service will be launching its next recruitment campaign for whole‑time firefighters shortly, welcoming applications from individuals interested in joining the service in a full‑time capacity.

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An appeal has been issued for volunteers to help their communities understand flood risks and responsibilities by becoming flood wardens.

Oxfordshire County Council has extended its flood warden scheme to cover the whole county following successful pilot projects in Witney, Ascott-under-Wychwood, Abingdon and Sunningwell.

There is no set number of hours required, and flood wardens can volunteer according to their own schedule.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “Flood wardens are our eyes and ears on the ground and report things liked blocked ditches and drains so that we can resolve these issues before a flood event can occur. As extreme weather becomes a more common occurrence, their role becomes so much more important.

“We are so grateful to all the county’s volunteers, whose hard work and local knowledge does so much to keep their communities safe. I would like to thank our existing flood wardens for their efforts and invite more people to join them in improving the situation in the places where they live.”

Flood wardens are members of the local community. They can be individuals, representatives of the parish council or existing community resilience volunteers, highway wardens or police volunteers.

William Wareing, Chairman and Trustee of the Witney Flood Group, has been a flood warden since April 2023 and is the coordinator of the town’s seven-strong flood wardens group.

Mr Wareing said: “My home was flooded in 2007 and 2020. Although I have since moved to a safer location, I feel passionate about making a difference to others who are unable to move out of the high flood risk zone.

“I wanted us to establish a flood warden community through our involvement in the joint risk management agencies’ working party that formed after the 2020 floods. This is very closely tied with our charity, the Witney Flood Group, which was also formed after the 2020 floods, to help us build a community, support and educate, and make a difference to the conditions locally.

“Ultimately the flood wardens project is another piece of the puzzle in the solutions we seek to reduce the risk of flooding in the area.”

The council will support flood wardens in their role and provide the necessary training. All flood wardens undergo an informal one-hour call prior to signing the agreement to help them understand the role in more detail.

Mr Wareing added: “We engage with the community, report issues to the responsible authorities and create community emergency flood plans and keep in touch with each other and support each other. My role involves coordinating our wardens, increasing their knowledge and expertise, and making sure that specific high risk locations are the priority, and making them known to the community.

“Our flood wardens attend public events, learn about river management, hold conversations with both the responsible authorities and our residents and business owners. We held two public events in September, conducted a full survey of the River Windrush with evidence of photos, locations and identified any poor levels of maintenance we want to see improved.

“We plan to engage directly with riparian landowners next to encourage them to improve maintenance standards on land they own adjacent to a watercourse. We can also help them directly with light maintenance work and are set up for that now.

“Becoming a flood warden is about building a community, helping each other, representing and supporting those less fortunate or able to, and raising awareness of the flood risk issues we face across Oxfordshire,” he said.

“In our experience so far, people at risk of flooding are the strongest contenders for becoming flood wardens, as well as those with experience or interest in the subject.”

Anyone wanting to become a flood warden can read more and sign up through the county council’s Oxfordshire flood toolkit.

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Mr Grzegorz Seczkowski, 41, from Abingdon, who traded as GNA Car Sales Ltd, was found to have lowered the mileage on six vans prior to selling them to unsuspecting customers.

He bought vans at auction and clocked them before selling them through the AutoTrader website and from his forecourt. By selling the vans with reduced mileage he made an additional profit over their true worth of £20,000.

A key element of the scam involved Mr Seczkowski buying high‑mileage former fleet or rental vehicles that were under three years old – meaning they had not yet undergone an MOT and their mileage was not centrally recorded.

This enabled him to roll back the vehicles’ mileage to just above their last service records, despite them having been driven up to 22,000 additional miles, allowing him to market them as low mileage vehicles with maintained service histories.

At a hearing at Oxford Crown Court on 3 February 2026, Mr Seczkowski was sentenced to 18 months custody, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay £2,529 in compensation to his customers and £5,000 towards the council’s costs.

GNA Car Sales Ltd was also fined £2,000 and both Mr Seczkowski and GNA Car Sales Ltd will have to pay a victim surcharge. A deprivation order in respect of a clocked van seized by trading standards as part of the investigation was also made.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety said, said: “Vehicle clocking misleads customers making a significant financial decision, with false claims leaving them frustrated, out of pocket and potentially even in danger. These vans were being sold to people who rely on them to earn a living, so breakdowns or high repair bills can have a significant impact on their lives.

“Dishonest trading of this kind undermines people’s confidence when buying a second hand vehicle, making the process more stressful and creating unnecessary difficulties for legitimate traders.

“Our trading standards team is here to protect Oxfordshire residents from rogue traders like Mr Seczkowski and will take similar action against anyone found to be engaging in offending of this nature.”

Davina Walkin, Trading Standards Operations Manager at Oxfordshire County Council, said: "We are extremely grateful to those organisations that supported us in this case.

"Anyone purchasing a second hand vehicle can check the mileage recorded during each MOT test for free on the GOV.UK website. If a vehicle regularly covers a significant number of miles each year and then suddenly shows only a very small increase, this can indicate that the vehicle has been clocked. Unless the seller can provide a clear explanation for the reduced mileage, we would recommend caution.

“There are also companies that, for a fee, will check a vehicle for mileage discrepancies, undeclared accidents or insurance claims, or whether it has been stolen. These can be useful tools when researching a vehicle’s history before buying.”

Residents with concerns about similar activity can report it using the national consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.

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The grants, ranging from £100 to £1,700, will be used by organisations across the county to fund measures including rainwater harvesting, allotment improvements and flood advice.

The community resilience small grants programme, administered by Community Action Groups Oxfordshire (CAG) and funded by £12,000 from Oxfordshire County Council, supports local events and activities which address or raise awareness of climate adaptation.

Katherine Chesson, Director of CAG Oxfordshire, said: “Community groups are at the heart of ensuring that Oxfordshire's residents are resilient to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events.

“From rainwater harvesting at community gardens to raising awareness of local emergency plans, we're proud to support these fantastic groups to deliver locally led resilience work.”

Since 2007, Oxfordshire has experienced 20 significant flood events, 12 named storms, eight cold snaps, four major heatwaves and three periods of drought.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “We know that one of the best ways to mitigate against the impact of these increased incidents of extreme weather is to support activities and events that empower local groups to act.

“We received a great field of applications and we are delighted to be able to fund an exciting range of projects. We hope these grants will help some amazing organisations create new connections and raise awareness in order to support new people, local businesses and organisations to take climate action.”

The recipients are:

• Banbury Community Action Group: It will hold a film night and workshop to raise awareness of the need for community resilience and climate adaptation measures.
• Bridge Street Community Garden, Banbury: Funds will be used to upgrade the rainwater harvesting system at the garden to make the site more resilient to climate change.
• Bioabundance, Wallingford: Recognising the potential impacts of food shortages, the group will improve two allotment sites, which were set up to create a citizen network that could rise to support residents in time of crisis.
• Greener Henley: It will deliver a local resilience briefing for the town, tailored to local risks and resilience.
• Hendreds Environment Group: Funding will support the design, printing and distribution of leaflets to communicate the local emergency plan to the community and to educate residents on how they can become more self-reliant and prepare in advance in the event of an emergency.
• Her Land, South Oxfordshire: The group will deliver a workshop on the impact of droughts and flooding and outlining solutions such as rainwater harvesting. It will also install a rainwater harvesting system to better protect its site against extreme weather events.
• One Planet Abingdon: The group will engage with the community to raise awareness of Abingdon’s emergency plan workshop sessions and help residents create personal emergency plans.
• Steventon Parish Council: As a flood response group, it wants to provide every home with a flood education booklet describing what help can be provided within the village and from outside agencies.
• Stonehill Community Garden, Vale of White Horse: Its grant will support expanded rainwater harvesting to better protect the garden against future droughts, thereby improving the biodiversity of the site.
• Sustainable Didcot: Funding will support a month of themed climate resilience events, focused predominantly on water, as drought and flood are the biggest risks Didcot faces due to climate change.
• Transition Lighthouse Empowerment Space, Oxford: The group will purchase and install a yurt for shade at the Wellbeing Community Garden in Sandy Lane, to serve communities who face barriers in accessing and connecting to nature rich spaces. 

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People can expect to receive a ‘warm welcome’ at Oxfordshire County Council’s libraries this winter, with the network offering a warm space and a hot drink for those who need it.

For the fourth year running, Oxfordshire libraries are partnering with the Warm Welcome Campaign, which supports a network of over 4,000 warm spaces across the UK.

The campaign seeks to open up more community spaces for free for those who may be feeling isolated, or whom need a warm place to stay during the colder months.

Oxfordshire’s libraries are also delivering a range of other support for residents including free cultural activities, advice sessions and signposting on helpful topics.

Simon Lay, Libraries Branch Network Operations Manager at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We will be particularly focused on providing warmth, company and support to those affected by poverty and social isolation over the winter months.

“We’re continuing to see a rise in the number of people taking up the offer of a warm space and a hot drink. In Abingdon Library, for example, we are delighted to welcome back our regular visitors and welcome new faces.

“It’s a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the space we provide, reading newspapers, doing a jigsaw and connecting with others. Take up of the warm space offer has increased by 50 per cent, and the team are grateful that we are able to provide this hospitality.”

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Warm spaces such as our libraries provide a lifeline for many in our communities during the winter months. By offering a welcoming environment, a hot drink, and opportunities for connection, we’re not only helping people stay warm, but we’re also helping to tackle social isolation and support those facing hardship.

“This initiative is a clear reflection of our strategic priorities: we are committed to reducing inequalities, improving health and wellbeing, and building resilient, inclusive communities where everyone can thrive. Our libraries are at the heart of this effort, ensuring that every resident has access to the support and warmth they need this winter.”

As well as libraries, many other community buildings across the county also provide a warm space for those who need them. Find out more by visiting Warm Welcome’s website.

Find out about other ways to keep warm during the winter months, including financial help and more, by visiting the council’s dedicated webpage.

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Utility firms such as water, electricity, gas, broadband providers, plus developers and other companies often intervene on road networks in Oxfordshire and elsewhere leading to delays and congestion. A lane rental scheme allows a highway authority to charge per day for work, restricted to the busiest roads at the busiest times.

Such schemes already operate in London, Kent, Surrey and West Sussex and government evaluations have shown each to be an effective way to reduce the duration of work and the impact of resulting congestion on the busiest parts of road networks.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Whether as pedestrians, cyclists, motorists or nearby residents, we are all familiar with the frustration of the sudden arrival of utilities companies to dig up the roads and create severe problems on the network.

“The work is very often emergency-related and councils have no option to agree to it given that otherwise people’s homes and businesses would potentially be cut off from water, electricity or other essentials.

“However, it is in everyone’s interests for these utilities to minimise their impacts and a lane rental scheme is one such way. If they know they are going to be charged for the length of time they spend there, it is an incentive to complete the job as expeditiously as possible.

“This type of scheme has been seen to work elsewhere. We were told in late October by the Department for Transport that we could implement a lane rental scheme of our own and we are now eager to implement it and reap the benefits for everyone in Oxfordshire.”

The LRS would encourage those working on the highway to prioritise off-peak hours and to complete the work as quickly as possible to reduce their costs. Any surplus money raised by the council would be used to help manage and improve the highway network.

The council has been operating a permit scheme for road and street works since 2020 and receives about 30,000 requests a year. These requests are coordinated, inspected, and enforced to reduce the impact on the travelling public.

However, the permit scheme charges only allow council costs to be recovered and, unlike LRS, doesn’t allow the council to impose specific charges to discourage those requesting to work on the busiest roads at the busiest times.

The benefits of an LRS include:

• encouraging collaborative working between works promoters
• improving the quality of work (to avoid return fees)
• works are undertaken outside of key times
• working smarter will reduce the time taken to complete works, including better use of technology.

Core principles of the scheme will include charging for working during peak hours. The council’s own roadworks will not be exempt from the charges.

Roughly nine per cent of the highway network would be liable for charges, based on factors such as traffic volume and bus frequency.

Any surplus income arising from the scheme must be invested back into the highway network to help improve the operation and management of it.

Investments can be delivered by both the county council and works promoters who have paid into the scheme and will be determined by a joint panel spanning both local authority and utility companies with an independent chair in line with Department for Transport regulations.

Minister for Roads and Buses, Simon Lightwood said: “This Government is pushing for smoother and faster journeys, which is why I’m delighted to approve Oxfordshire County Council’s lane rental scheme.

“We know just how frustrating roadworks are, but this scheme will finally hold utility companies to account and incentivise them to get on with works faster. That means less time stuck in traffic, helping get people get from A to B quicker and growing the economy as part of our Plan for Change.”

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Organised by Tallulah Allmond, Team Leader in the Adult Social Care team at Oxfordshire County Council, the exhibition showcased a wide range of artwork and handmade crafts created by people supported across Oxfordshire’s CSS centres.

The event featured:

• Pottery creations from Abingdon and Witney CSS, crafted during sessions led by pottery tutor Kerry.
• Woodburning (pyrography) and mixed media artwork from Abingdon CSS.
• Paintings and drawings from Oxford CSS.
• Handmade crafts from Wantage CSS.

The exhibition was a collaborative effort, with staff and people supported by CSS playing key roles in running the event.

Attendees were warmly welcomed, and those supported by CSS managed the pottery and cake sale tables, served refreshments, and proudly spoke about their work. Many had created additional pottery items specifically for sale, which proved popular with visitors.

The event drew visitors from community support services across Oxfordshire, OCC staff based at the Abbey Centre, and members of the public.

Feedback from the day was overwhelmingly positive.

Catherine Leeson, Team Leader at Oxford CSS, said: “It was so nice to be able to purchase some of the pottery items and I am very pleased with the little trinket dish which I bought.”

Lucille Vaughan, who attends Abingdon CSS, said: “The art exhibition was really good, and I felt proud to see my artwork on display. I met and talked to new people. I liked seeing all the other day centres’ work. A massive thank you to Tallulah for her hard work.”

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Events like this showcase the incredible creativity and community spirit within our support services. It’s inspiring to see people come together to celebrate talent, inclusion and the power of art to connect us.”

Looking ahead, CSS teams are gearing up for a festive Christmas Art and Craft Exhibition on 1 December. Handmade items will be available to purchase, with proceeds supporting CSS centres. The event will also feature an award ceremony for winners of the county-wide Christmas card competition.

Photos from the exhibition and further updates can be found on the Abingdon CSS Facebook page.

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People living in, working in and visiting Abingdon are invited to share their feedback on proposals to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and easier along the town’s East St Helen Street, in a survey open until 28 October.

Oxfordshire County Council has drafted the proposals working with local groups including UK active travel charity Sustrans. The proposals will create safer routes for walking, wheeling and cycling across the area, including facilitating two-way cycling along East St Helen Street.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “As well as providing essential safety improvements for people traveling around Abingdon, this work would connect a missing link in a major national cycle route between the Thames Valley and Wales.

“We need to reduce the number of cars on the road in Oxfordshire, and projects like this one enable healthier, more connected, and more accessible journeys. We want walking, cycling and public transport to work for more people, becoming a natural first choice.

“I encourage people to take a look at our plans and share their thoughts to help us finalise a design that works for residents.”

The plan includes improved cycling facilities on East St Helen Street and new pedestrian crossing facilities on the High Street, Bridge Street and Stert Street.

The scheme proposes:

• Two parallel cycle and pedestrian zebra crossings for the National Cycle Network 5 (NCN5) route between Abbey Close and East St Helen Street. ​
• Provision for contraflow cycling allowing travel in both directions for cyclists on East St Helen Street.
• Two zebra crossings on High Street and Bridge Street.
• Raised tables to prioritise safer walking, wheeling and cycling at the junction between East St Helen Street and Lombard Street.
• Continuous footway providing step-free crossing for pedestrians and slow-turning vehicles.
• New crossings on East St Helen Street and West St Helen Street.
• Planting and cycle parking where possible.

The location has been identified as a priority in the Abingdon Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

A survey is available on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire for people to share their feedback on the plan. The survey closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 28 October 2025.

There will be two drop-in events to view the information and chat to project officers, at Abingdon Guildhall on 11 October from 10am to 3pm and 14 October from 4pm to 7pm.

A report summarising the proposal and feedback from the survey will be presented to the county council’s cabinet member for Transport on whether to proceed at a meeting later this year. If approved, construction of the improvements would start in spring 2026. 

Notes

• The survey is available at: oxfordshire.gov.uk/eaststhelenstreet. 
  Paper copies of the survey can be requested by email to ncn5-cycleroute@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by calling the county council’s customer services team. Residents who wish to write to the council should address their envelope with Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL as one line in the middle with ‘Abingdon East St Helen St’ written in the top left corner.
• The drop-in events are open to everyone, with no need to book. Information materials shared at the events will also be published online, on Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The events will be held on:
  • Saturday 11 October 2025 from 10am - 3pm in the Old Magistrates’ Court Room, Guildhall, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JD;
  • and on Tuesday 14 October 2025 from 4pm - 7pm  in the Roysse Room, Guildhall, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JD.
• The scheme is funded by a UK Government active travel grant of £1,473,679.
• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.

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Excavation and earthworks start today (3 September) as part of the construction of new south-facing slip roads at Lodge Hill, which only has north-facing slips at present. The scheme will improve connectivity to and from the north of Abingdon, avoiding the town centre and making it easier for people to choose walking, cycling or taking public transport as part of their daily routine.

Early work to set up the site and prepare the area began in May 2025. Construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2026.

To ensure the scheme is built safely, the council’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty, will undertake six different stages of work to minimise disruption.

The first stage involves removing the islands at the junction of the slip roads. This will create more space for construction vehicle access and movement. During this first stage of work, temporary overnight traffic signals will operate between 9pm and 5am on the A4183 and A34 southbound.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “The much-anticipated A34 Lodge Hill scheme will improve capacity at the junction, improving bus and car journeys, as well as making walking and cycling safer in the area.

“This is vital and much-needed investment to support growth in Abingdon. Once complete, it will reduce the amount of through traffic in the town centre, improving the environment for everyone.

“We have all campaigned for this for so long and it is wonderful news that construction has begun.”

Pauline Schaffer, Director of Infrastructure Funding at Homes England, said: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, we want to support public and private sector partners to unlock strategic housing sites where brownfield, infrastructure or land projects face delivery challenges.

“Through the Brownfield Infrastructure Land fund, we’re unlocking 820 much needed new homes in Abingdon with the construction of these key roads. Lodge Hill is a prime example of how we’re working with partners like Oxfordshire County Council to unlock the potential of new homes and regional growth in communities through improving infrastructure.”

Matt Parkes, Project Director at Balfour Beatty, said: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Oxfordshire County Council to deliver the A34 Lodge Hill Interchange scheme. This vital infrastructure project will not only unlock regional economic growth but also transform connectivity for residents and road users. Once complete, it will provide safer, more efficient journeys and support the long-term development of the wider area.”

Details of traffic management throughout construction and more information about the A34 Lodge Hill scheme is available on the council’s website.

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Road users are now being asked to watch out for the next stage, which will involve highway crews repainting the lines and markings, and installing reflective road studs in the coming weeks.

Phase one of Oxfordshire County Council’s £7.4 million surface dressing programme, delivered by its highway contractor M Group, began in April and finished on 15 June. Around 70 towns and villages were visited, with 938,336sq m of carriageway treated.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We were very lucky with the weather this spring and early summer. Surface dressing is extremely weather dependent, and we only had to rearrange a handful of shifts due to rain.

“We are grateful for the cooperation of road users during this time and ask them to be patient during the repainting process too. I hope they are noticing the improved quality of many of these roads.”

The road markings programme began earlier this month and is scheduled to be completed by mid-July. It can only be started around four weeks after the surface has been treated.

The second phase of the surface dressing programme will take place from 30 August - 8 September. This followed requests to avoid disruption to two key locations during the main phase and will take the total amount of carriageway treated to over a million square metres.

Updated details about the programme, including a map showing where and when the work will be taking place, will be available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Richard Lovewell, M Group Business Director, said: “We’re very pleased to be supporting Oxfordshire County Council to deliver another widescale surface dressing programme.

“A programme of this scale and complexity requires exemplary collaboration across all partners from the council to our sub-contractors Hazell and Jefferies and Wilson and Scott. Thanks to all involved, especially the teams who have been working in sometimes gruelling heat to get the programme completed to schedule in order to minimise disruption to the public.”

Surface dressing is a cost-effective highway maintenance measure which, on average, extends the service life of a road by eight to 10 years. It seals the road surface to keep out water, one of the major causes of deterioration and potholes.

It involves applying bituminous emulsion on to the road as a binder. This is followed immediately by the application of chippings to dress the emulsion layer.

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Cassington based Mixergy, an organisation that produces smart cylinders to maximise efficiency and reduce energy bills in the home, was a recipient of the King’s Award for innovation.

Meanwhile, Beadlight, a company in Witney that produces lighting and touchscreens for aviation, and Intralink, an international business development consultancy based in Abingdon, received awards for excellence in international trade.

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Marjorie Neasham Glasgow BEM, who will be presenting the awards on behalf of the King, said: “I am delighted that these three Oxfordshire based businesses should be recognised for their outstanding achievement in the categories of innovation and international trade. The King’s Award for Enterprise is considered the UK’s most prestigious accolade for businesses around the country. Congratulations.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed in 2023 to reflect His Majesty The King’s commitment to continuing the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II in recognising outstanding British businesses.
 

Now into its 59^th year, the programme celebrates businesses that represent the best of British enterprise in the following categories: 

• innovation
• international trade
• sustainable development
• promoting opportunity through social mobility

Awards are valid for five years.

Those who receive an award are given a Grant of Appointment and commemorative crystal trophy, use of The King’s Awards flag and use of the emblem on marketing materials, and an invitation to a royal reception.

Anyone wishing to apply for the award in 2026 should visit the King’s Awards website, and apply before 9 September this year.

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Kym and Roger Garnett are much like any other Oxfordshire couple. They live on a quiet road in Banbury, in a spacious well kept house.

But for the last 27 years, the Garnetts have been part of Oxfordshire County Council’s Shared Lives programme, seeing them open their home to adults with additional care needs, offering them a place to stay and grow their independence.

And at a ceremony last night (Tuesday 29 April) at Frilford Heath Golf Club near Abingdon, Kym and Roger were given an award celebrating their long service by Oxfordshire County Council Chief Executive, Martin Reeves.

Martin said: “For almost three decades Kym and Roger have selflessly opened their home to offer adults with additional needs a place to live happily and independently.

“The difference they have made to the people they have shared their lives with should not be underestimated and it is a privilege to be able to celebrate their kindness and dedication with them.”

Roger and Kym became Shared Lives carers in June 1998. Roger had previously been employed as a support worker with the NHS learning disability team and has many years of experience supporting adults with additional needs, with a specialism for people with autism.

They are able to support up to three people at any one time, for long and short-term stays as well as providing accommodation for adults needing immediate support with little notice period.

Martin added: “Kym and Roger have been able to offer tailored support for people when they have needed it most. Whether that was a fixed place to stay to give someone the continuity they needed or a roof over their head when a person found themselves in immediate need, the Garnetts have opened their door and welcomed them in.”

Kym and Roger are both advanced first aiders and have significant support from the county council’s Shared Lives team, ensuring they have the latest guidance and training.

On receiving the award, Roger said: “Shared Lives is a very special programme. While there are some challenging times, we get just as much from the scheme as the people living with us.

“We learn from each other and laugh with each other and it is a real joy to see the people staying with us grow their independence.”

Roger and Kym have also been shortlisted for a long-term service award at next month’s Oxfordshire Care Awards. The event recognises excellence in the region’s care sector, with the ceremony taking place at Blenheim Palace on Tuesday 6 May.

Shared Lives plays an important role in the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision, by supporting people to live happily and independently withing their communities, reducing the need for more formal care.

Shared Lives carers come from all walks of life, from different backgrounds and live in all kinds of homes. You can earn up to £500 a week by supporting someone at home and fit it around your life and work commitments.

If you think you could support an adult with additional needs, you can find out more about the programme at oxfordshire.gov.uk/sharedlives or calling 01865 897971.

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A care team that provides a unique hybrid approach to supporting adults with additional needs has been nominated for a prestigious local award.

Oxfordshire County Council’s community partnership team provides traditional building-based activities from Mayott House in Abingdon while also delivering outreach support across the county, for adults identified as needing more one to one, personalised care.

They have now been nominated in the care team category at next month’s Oxfordshire Care Awards.

Bianca Moss is the Community Partnership Team Manager at Oxfordshire County Council and said: “We really are unique in our approach to providing care. Unlike more formal services, we are given the flexibility to offer a range of activities in different locations, that really make a difference to the people we support.”

The community partnership team was developed in response to the social distancing challenges of the COVID pandemic, when people were unable to visit community support services due to lockdown restrictions.

Instead of basing themselves from a council community support service building, the team instead worked with extra care housing providers, bpha, to provide a more traditional day care support in the form of a café for residents and visitors at Mayott House, Abingdon.

Alongside this, countywide outreach support can be offered to adults identified as most in need, including people with mental health concerns associated with loneliness and depression.

Bianca said: “We are the only team I’m aware of able to offer this holistic, individualised support, as well as our building-based care. Whether it’s bingo or knit and natter at Mayott House, supporting someone to attend a GP appointment or help decluttering their house, our small team has the autonomy to think differently and put the person they are supporting at the very heart of what they do.”

The community partnership team has now been recognised for its work by being shortlisted for the team of the year at the Oxfordshire Care Awards.

The prestigious awards recognise excellence in the local care sector and will take place at Blenheim Palace on Tuesday 6 May.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “Our community partnership team embodies our Oxfordshire Way approach to support people to live well and independently within their own communities.

“This is only made possible by the partnership we have formed with housing providers bpha, as well as by working with The Order of St John Care Team, who provide care and support at Mayott House.

“With their backing, our small and creative community partnership team can offer the flexibility needed to provide this unique, hybrid model of support for our residents.”

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But the 36 year old, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome in her teens, is now thriving, working for Oxfordshire County Council’s in-house print company, County Print Finishers, which specialises in offering accessible employment to people who are experiencing a disability or long term health concern.

Jenny spent ten years after leaving secondary school in a mixture of part-time and full-time further education settings, including specialist colleges for people with autism.

She initially worked for the family’s MOT service business as a bookkeeper and a garage assistant. Jenny said: “No two days were the same at the garage. The business was going for 52 years before my dad and uncle retired and I lost my job. In the same year, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a really difficult time for me.”

After months of supporting her mother’s recovery, Jenny felt it was time to try and find a permanent job, but with funding being reduced from the charity that was supporting her, she was put in touch with Oxfordshire Employment to help her find the job she wanted.

Oxfordshire Employment is the county council’s service that works with people who have additional needs, understanding their individual skills and supporting them to find and maintain a job that’s right for them.

For Jenny, her stand out organisational skills, which she learnt during her time as a bookkeeper, and natural attention to detail were a clear advantage to any employer looking for reliable and hardworking staff.

And after receiving some interview training and support with her CV, Jenny was offered casual work with a party entertainment business, before earning a position at County Print Finishers in February 2020.

Having started in a part-time role, Jenny worked her way up in the company and is now a full-time grade five workforce associate, which is something she very much enjoys.

She said: “I have quite a lot of responsibility here. I look after a production line that does things like the relabelling of goods, making them ready to sell in shops. I make sure there aren’t any mistakes and keep the production line flowing. My aim is to one day be a supervisor.”

Jenny is an integral part of the County Print Finishers team, based in Osney Mead in Oxford. As well as making sure the production line operates smoothly, she’s recently gained her forklift truck licence and is working towards even more qualifications to help her continue to progress her career.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Jenny story of resilience and determination is truly inspiring. She has overcome a number of barriers to find and maintain full-time work and while Oxfordshire Employment has given her outstanding support, it’s Jenny’s hard work and aspirational attitude that’s really led to her success.

“She is a wonderful example of how people from a range of backgrounds, with unique skills and dedication, can bring value and diversity to Oxfordshire’s workforce.”

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The proposal to create a series of ‘greenways’ – high-quality paths in urban or natural areas prioritised for pedestrians and cyclists – comes from a joint project being developed by Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and the University of Oxford.

The aim is to create a network of safe, convenient and well-connected cycling and walking routes linking surrounding towns, villages and future economic development sites with Oxford city centre and other key employment, cultural and economic locations.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “Many people who want to walk or cycle more, for their health, wellbeing or to save money, are often put off by having to share the space with motor vehicles. Some of our towns and villages have no safe options at all, despite their close proximity to Oxford.

“That’s why the Oxford greenways project is so important. I would urge as many people as possible to take part in the consultation so that we can prioritise and design routes where they will make the biggest difference.”

The consultation runs until Tuesday 18 March. To take part, visit Let’s talk Oxfordshire.

Councillor Louise Upton, Oxford City Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Cycling Champion, said: “In order to encourage more people to walk and cycle into Oxford for work, studying, entertainment or shopping, we need to provide them with safer and more accessible routes.

“This engagement is a chance for pedestrians and cyclists to share their feedback on six proposed greenways. These new routes are designed to promote healthier and safer options as people travel across Oxford and Oxfordshire.

“I encourage everyone interested in cycling to participate – whether you're an experienced cyclist or someone who wants to start cycling.”

A first set of greenways is proposed to connect Oxford with areas including Woodstock, Otmoor, Wootton near Abingdon, Kingston Bagpuize, Kennington, Botley and Wytham.

David Prout, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Planning & Resources) at Oxford University, said: “Safe walking and cycling routes between Oxford and its surrounding towns and villages would be a massive boost for everyone living and working in Oxford. We are very pleased to have been part of this study and hope its recommendations will be implemented.”

The Oxford greenways project began in 2020 but was put on hold due to the pandemic. Feedback from the latest consultation and other engagement events will help inform the development of a delivery plan.

Initial funding is in place for design of the first set of greenways. However, route construction and further design development of the proposed network – which could improve links to around 60 towns and villages – would require successful funding bids and grant allocations.

Greenways schemes will be developed alongside other improvements to cycle routes around the county, including National Cycling Network routes, Oxfordshire’s Strategic Active Travel Network, and area and corridor travel plans within the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan.

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The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has unveiled plans for an Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor that it is reported will boost the UK economy by up to £78 billion by 2035. Lord Patrick Vallance is to be appointed as Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion

Cllr Liz Leffman, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: We particularly welcome the investment in East-West Rail, which is so important for connectivity across the Oxford to Cambridge corridor. As is well known our ambition at the county council is to see greater investment in our rail infrastructure locally and regionally to boost connectivity and productivity. But we also need urgent action to fix our crumbling water and sewage system, and improve the electricity grid, if the region is to flourish.

“We look forward to working with Lord Patrick Vallance in his new role, alongside our partners in Oxfordshire and neighbouring areas, to enable our county and the wider region to reach its full potential.  

“One aspect of the announcement which will cause concern locally is the mention of a new reservoir near Steventon. We know that this is opposed by the majority of local people and has been questioned and scrutinised at many levels over a long period of time.”

The road, north of Wardington, was closed by Oxfordshire County Council on Monday after the sinkhole appeared in the centre of the carriageway. Emergency diversion routes were immediately put into place.

Following visits to the site by inspectors, the council’s contractors are planning to begin repair work today. It is hoped that the road can be opened and the repairs completed by the end of the month, depending on what is found once water is pumped out and excavation work starts.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This is an extremely busy road, which is why we have made it a priority to have a repair programme in place within days.

“We will reopen the road as soon as it is safe to do so. We hope this will be by the end of December but, unfortunately, there are no guarantees when it comes to work of this nature. In the meantime, we would urge motorists to follow the diversion routes that are in place to ensure everyone’s safety.”

The suggested diversion route is between A423 Southam Road and the A425 Daventry Road.

It is believed that the sinkhole is a result of the recent flooding of the River Cherwell, causing washout of fill to affect a brick water pipe (culvert) running under the road. The most recent inspection of the culvert by the council’s highways teams, carried out before the flooding, showed no cause for concern in the culvert’s condition.

The washed out material has blocked the watercourse, submerging the culvert. The water will be pumped out to enable the culvert to be inspected, so that the full extent of required repairs can be determined.

The culvert may need to be temporarily replaced by a pipe to enable the sinkhole to be backfilled and the road reopened while a longer term repair is planned.

Cllr Gant added: “This is a pretty stark example of the kind of pressure our large and rural road network is experiencing from extreme weather. I am very grateful to our officers and contractors for getting out on site as soon as possible to put a plan in place for mitigation and repair.”

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An electric car club pilot scheme has proved so popular that 15 vehicles are set to remain in place at more than 10 new and existing locations around the county, following the end of the 18 month trial period.

Since the pilot scheme was launched in April 2023, it has attracted over new 1,200 members, seen over 5,200 individual hiring sessions and led to more than a quarter of a million electric miles being driven.

The scheme has been coordinated by Oxfordshire County Council and is supported by Oxford City Council and Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire district councils who have hosted the pilot vehicles in their car parks. The vehicles have been provided and operated by hire companies Co Wheels, Enterprise CarClub and Zimbl.

The success of the extended trial scheme means that car club vehicles are set to continue in the following locations:

• Abingdon – Cattle Market and West St Helen Street car parks (Co Wheels)
• Banbury – Calthorpe Street West and Windsor Street car parks (Zimbl)
• Bicester – Claremont car park (Zimbl)
• Eynsham – Back Lane car park (Co Wheels)
• Henley – Greys Road car park (Co Wheels)
• Oxford – Redbridge and Seacourt Park and Rides (Co Wheels and Zimbl)
• Wallingford – Cattlemarket car park (Co Wheels)
• Witney – Woodford Way car park (Enterprise CarClub).

New car club vehicles are also set to be introduced at these new locations:

• Chipping Norton – New Road car park (Zimbl)
• Woodstock – Hensington Road car park (Zimbl)
• Thame – Upper High Street (Co Wheels).

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “The popularity of the EV car clubs has led to the continuation of the schemes in many places, meaning even more residents and businesses can try out these shared cars for themselves.

“Car clubs give people the chance to use an EV when they need one, without the expense of owning or leasing one outright. They can make it much more affordable for people who don’t drive every day and provide real-world experience of driving electric without a long-term commitment.”

It is estimated that a successful car club vehicle can take on average 20 individually owned cars – often petrol or diesel vehicles – off the road.

EVs in the scheme can be hired from £5.95 per hour, including insurance, plus 12p per electric mile.

If demand for car clubs continues and funding can be identified, then it’s likely more car club locations will be introduced within the next few years. Residents can submit locations where they would like to car clubs using Oxfordshire County Council’s EV charger and car club demand tracker.

Updated details about the EV car club pilot and where your nearest car club location is can be found on the Oxfordshire County Council website.

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The archaeological investigations were undertaken of behalf of Oxfordshire County Council in preparation for the new A34 interchange at Lodge Hill.  Discoveries included deeply buried sediments from the area’s ancient river systems dating back to the Middle Pleistocene period and some flint tools, reflecting early human presence from this era.

Experts from Oxford Archaeology, commissioned by the councils’ contractor, Balfour Beatty, dug 16 trial trenches, 12 test pits and two boreholes. The work was part of a planning condition to explore any potential archaeological remains and any ancient sediments that would be affected by the new interchange. 

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: Archaeological investigations like this are an important part of the process of delivering construction schemes. They help us identify and understand past features and residents of the area and record them for future generations. 

“Oxfordshire has a fascinating history – not just its people, but its geology too. These remains offer a glimpse into the ancient ecosystems that existed here during the interglacial periods.”

 Excavations found evidence of the Lodge Hill Channel, an ancient river system that crosses the site in a southwest to northeast direction. This channel, which is buried beneath a younger layer of gravel, has silty sediments up to 5m deep in places, with remains of ancient fossil material such as snail shells, fish bones and plant matter in its deeper parts. A piece of a Palaeolithic flint handaxe was also found from deposits that directly overlap the ancient channel fill.   

The channel deposits at Lodge Hill are probably part of the same river system as similar deposits found nearby, also in north Abingdon, where Sugworth Lane crosses the A34. The Sugworth Lane deposits have been recognised as of national significance for their fossil faunal remains, which contains an extinct species of vole.

Although no major archaeological remains were identified in the trenches, a few flint artefacts were also found that reflect later prehistoric human activity at the site. Three worked flints were found, probably from the Neolithic to Bronze Age periods.  

The archaeological evaluation also revealed a few undated features, including two small pits, a linear ditch, and a series of postholes, likely of post-medieval or modern origin, along with quantities of Roman pottery and medieval tile fragments. 

Carl Champness, Project Manager for Oxford Archaeology said: “The discovery of a rare lower-middle age handaxe and the interglacial channel deposits at Lodge Hill dating between 600,000-500,000 years ago may provide new insights into a lost landscape. This is only the start of the story, and we hope planned further investigation and detailed analysis of these remains, will help enhance our understanding of the early occupation of Britain.” 

Francis Wenban-Smith of University of Southampton, Palaeolithic specialist for Oxford Archaeology, said: “These are very exciting finds. Artefactual evidence of this period is exceptionally rare in the Upper Thames landscape north of the Goring Gap. The presence of flint tools gives an insight into the mobility of these ancient humans, since flint raw material would not have been available at the site. The human species involved was probably Homo heidelbergensis, who were the ancestor of the Neanderthals, and who periodically occupied Britain in warmer climatic episodes between c. 800,000 and 400,000 years ago.” 

Image provided courtesy of Oxford Archaeology

Image 1 shows the Lower/Middle Palaeolithic handaxe identified in the North drift gravel deposits in Test Pit 21 

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For safety reasons, Oxfordshire County Council will be shutting the centres for two days – although never at the same time – to allow for deep cleaning and essential maintenance.

This includes jet washing the sites and structures, repainting lines and safety areas, as well as other general work to improve the customer experience.

The closing dates are:

• Stanford in the Vale, near Faringdon: Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 September
• Ardley, near Bicester: Thursday 5 and Friday 6 September
• Drayton, near Abingdon: Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 September
• Oakley Wood, near Wallingford: Thursday 12 and Friday 13 September
• Dix Pit, Stanton Harcourt: Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 September
• Alkerton, near Banbury: Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 October.

All closures are on quieter weekdays to minimise disruption and sites will reopen at 8am the following day.

Residents are asked to plan ahead, ideally holding onto their waste until the site reopens or, if that is not possible, visiting one of the neighbouring sites.

The deep clean for Redbridge HWRC in Oxford will be carried out later in the year and full details will be provided in due course.

More information can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website, including details of alternative sites during the closures.

Users are reminded that to use their free DIY waste allowance, they need to book an appointment for their visit on the council’s website.

Residents with van or trailer permits can use these at any of the HWRCs.

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Tom’s life changed last year. After having a stroke, subsequent seizures led to him being diagnosed with vascular dementia. But since joining Abingdon CSS, Tom has been supported to achieve his life goals, including scaling a climbing wall at this summer’s J-Fest in Faringdon.

Tom joined the community support centre in July and said: “I’ve met up with a lot of new people and it feels like one big family, I feel welcome as soon as I get in the door. I enjoy the singing group and reminiscing about back in the day.”

Staff at Abingdon CSS are encouraged to think creatively about how they can support people who use the service, guided by the council’s Oxfordshire Way vision to enable residents to live happily and independently within their own communities.

One of Tom’s ambitions was to attend a music festival, so when the opportunity to go to the accessible J-Fest in Farringdon came up, the support service’s coordinator asked him if he wanted go and he immediately signed up.

As well as enjoying the live music, with the support of his family, Tom decided to tackle the climbing wall, making it all the way to the top. He is already looking forward to next year’s event!

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: "Our community support centres are a vital service for adults with physical and learning disabilities, mental health concerns and older care needs including dementia.

"Our knowledgeable staff offer person-centred support, listening to the people who use the service, providing real benefits for them and their families. It’s great to hear the difference Abingdon CSS is making to Tom’s life.”

Tom’s wife and carer, Jan Furze, said: “Attending Abingdon CSS has given Tom some freedom from me and restarted his social life. It gives me peace of mind to know he is safe and being looked after. It gives us conversation for when he gets home and means I have some time for myself too.

“As well as attending J Fest, Tom also enjoyed a concert at Dorchester Abbey where I was very kindly welcomed alongside him. Tom enjoys chatting to the carers when they go out for tea and visit local garden centres. It’s lovely that the carers always ask how I am too. Having access to the centre really has made the world of difference to our lives.”

More information about Oxfordshire County Council’s seven community support centres can be found on the Live Well Oxfordshire website.

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Diversions will be in place between 8pm on Friday 2 August and 6am on Monday 5 August while the roundabout is closed.

Motorists are asked to be aware of the closure and to use the suggested alternative routes.

There will be no travel along the eastern bypass between the Heyford Hill roundabout and the B480 Cowley Road interchange in both directions during the closure.

Westbound traffic travelling along the eastern bypass will be reduced from dual carriageway to a single lane, with traffic then taken off at the B480 Cowley interchange to join the signed diversion route.

Eastbound traffic travelling along the eastern bypass will be subject to a similar lane closure as well as a speed reduction, so traffic arrives at the Heyford Hill roundabout in a single lane at safer speeds. From there, traffic will be diverted around the diversion route.

The Sandy Lane West slip road will also be closed where it joins the eastern bypass heading west towards Littlemore roundabout.

Bus companies will still operate a service between Sandford-on-Thames into the city. This will utilise Oxford Road, Cowley Road, and Church Cowley Road before resuming its usual route.

Arrangements are in place for residents in the affected area to continue to access their homes while the closure is in place.

By carrying out the work over a single 24/7 closure, the resurfacing can be completed quicker and more cost effectively with as little disruption as possible.

There will be separate crews working both day and night to ensure continuous working throughout.

The alternative approach would have seen the work taking place over 11 separate nights of closures, causing more disruption to residents and businesses, increasing the cost, and leading to a potentially poorer standard of work due to more opportunities for water to enter the road surface.

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The southern side of Banbury Road, from the roundabout to Lodge Close, will be closed for three months from today (Monday 22 July). The closure will be in effect for 24 hours a day, seven days a week with narrow lanes in place on the northern half of the road to manage traffic. The closure has been planned in the school summer holidays when fewer vehicles are expected on local roads. However, journeys may take longer. 

The Banbury Road will reopen to all road users at the end of October 2024. 

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “I want to thank Bicester residents, commuters, and businesses for their patience as we reach the halfway point on this work. 

“We are now entering the busiest phase of this project and are asking people to plan their journeys in advance and follow diversion signs. The Banbury Road will reopen to all road users at the end of October.” 

During the closure, traffic towards Bicester will be diverted both ways using the ring road. Drivers should follow all diversion signs. The Fringford Road will be reopened. 

Pedestrians and cyclists will be diverted along Southwold Lane and the Banbury Road. Residents can access their properties during the closure using the vehicle and footpath diversions. Buses will be diverted using the Buckingham Road, with two new temporary bus stops provided for the 500 bus route. 

During the road closure, work will take place to: 

• create a new island on Banbury Road south 
• install a new central island adjacent to the Fringford Road and on the roundabout east and west approaches 
• complete the second half of the toucan crossing on the A4095 
• construct new drainage and footways 
• surface the Banbury Road south up to the roundabout approach splitter island

The new junction has been designed to safely increase vehicle capacity, using traffic signals, while also providing better pavements and cycle paths and safer crossings. When finished, it will help Bicester to manage the increase in traffic as new houses continue to be built in the area.  

More information

The work is fully funded by central government, with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government providing £5.5 million and £5.9m secured from the Growth Deal. 

Oxfordshire County Council is working with Galliford Try to construct these improvements. 

The signalised junction will include: 

• adding new traffic signals to each arm of the junction 
• reducing the speed limit from 40 to 30 miles per hour 
• maintaining access for drivers to turn right from Fringford Road 
• separate crossings and paths for pedestrians and cyclists at the western and southern arms of the junction 
• buffer zones between the cycle track and the carriageway along three of the junction arms

Stages of work 

Work began in February 2024 on the Fringford Road, with the removal of the existing roundabout island. Work on the B4100 northbound followed in the spring. 

When phase three finishes, work will take place on the A4095 westbound from October 2024 through to January 2025. 

Construction is scheduled to finish with road surfacing on the B4100 in January and electrical works in early February 2025. 

More information can be found online at oxfordshire.gov.uk/banburyroadroundabout. 

Since February 1970, the ‘Wittenham Rose’ has been presented as a peppercorn rent to landowners at Little Wittenham. It is a symbolic gesture which allows ongoing access for the general public to the woods, pastureland and round hills of the reserve.

When the agreement was drawn up in 1970 the area was still in Berkshire. Since 1974 Oxfordshire County Council has presented the rose.

Increasing access to the countryside

Councillor Alison Rooke, Chair of Oxfordshire County Council said: “This ceremony is a long standing tradition that the county council is delighted to honour. Public access to the countryside is an important issue for both the county council and the Earth Trust, so the rose ceremony is an important annual event in our calendars. It is a mid-summer Oxfordshire fixture and part of the fabric of our wonderful county.”

Cllr Rooke will return to the nature reserve on 11 July to plant the rose.

The Earth Trust and Wittenham Clumps

Since 1982 the Earth Trust has managed the area around Wittenham Clumps and the surrounding farmland, grassland and woodlands. The area is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, because of its grassland and significant population of great crested newts.

Dementia Oxfordshire, a service provided by Age UK Oxfordshire with funding support from Oxfordshire County Council, has worked with a group of experts by experience who are living with the condition, to devise post-diagnostic education sessions for people who have recently had a diagnosis of dementia.

Melissa Spearman, Dementia Oxfordshire’s education lead, said: “Being told you have dementia can be a really difficult time, and we wanted to show people that there are lots of ways to live well with dementia.

“One of the most important lessons we learned from our experts by experience was that people with a diagnosis need time to talk and sharing experiences is a vital step to feeing that you are not alone.

“We also use the expertise of people who are living with dementia, as well as the lived experience of their carers, to include practical examples of how to make life easier, whether that’s using simple memory prompts, rearranging the kitchen so everyday tasks are easier, or utilising technology to help.

“But perhaps even more importantly, we encourage people with a dementia diagnosis to recognise the fact that they are still the same person they were, to encourage them to stay as independent as possible and to talk openly about what they are going through.”

Glenn Fletcher, a longstanding member of the experts by experience group, was diagnosed with dementia four years ago. He delivers the post-diagnostic sessions alongside Dementia Oxfordshire’s advisers.

Glenn said: “The best advice I can give anyone who is living with dementia is don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s too easy to pull yourself down and think ‘I am not what I was’. Having dementia means you just have less capacity to do certain things. You will do things like before, but not quite the same. Peripheral elements may be missing but don’t be too frightened by that.”

Anyone in Oxfordshire with a recent diagnosis of dementia is welcome to attend an education session. They form an important part of the county council’s Oxfordshire Way vision, to support people to live well and independently within their own communities for as long as possible.

Karen Fuller, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Adult Social Care, said: “Our partnership with Dementia Oxfordshire and Age UK Oxfordshire offers residents the best possible support, closer to home. The new sessions are delivered by people who have extensive experience of dementia and are well placed to give relevant, clear advice and support at a time when people need it most."

The sessions are taking place at various venues across the county and also online. Full details can be found on the Dementia Oxfordshire website.

The experts by experience group has also worked with the Dementia Oxfordshire team to produce a new booklet entitled ‘A Straightforward Guide to Dementia’ with lots of easily understandable advice and recommendations. The guide is given out free of charge at the education sessions and can be downloaded from the Dementia Oxfordshire website.

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Cllr Rooke first became a councillor in 1999 and served on both Abingdon Town Council and the Vale of White Horse District Council. She has been a county councillor in Abingdon since 2013. She succeeds Cllr Felix Bloomfield in the post. Cllr Mark Lygo will be her vice-chair.

She had a career in computer programming and as a personal assistant before leaving full time employment to care for her father. She is a mother of two daughters and has been a member of Abingdon Operatic Society for more than 40 years.

Becoming Chair of the county council is the latest in a sequence of important roles she has held including being Mayor of Abingdon and Leader of Abingdon Town Council. She was also Chair of Vale of White Horse District Council.

As the ceremonial head of the council, the chair must be a serving county councillor but must remain politically impartial. A new chair is elected each May at the annual general meeting of the county council, which this year was on Tuesday 21 May.

Cllr Rooke said: “I am looking forward to getting around to many different parts of Oxfordshire and supporting as many events as I can by attending and representing the county council. We are keen to hear from organisations who have events over the next year.”

The new Chair will raise funds for three charities during her year in post: My Vision (who support Oxfordshire residents who have poor sight or sight loss); Parkinsons UK (who have three branches in Oxfordshire) and the Earth Trust in Little Wittenham.

Cllr Rooke added: “At first it may appear that these three charities are not linked but we hope there will be a sense of synergy. People who have sight loss or may have problems with moving and getting around may not automatically think that Earth Trust could help. They are very keen to educate and open the countryside to everyone.”

“We are certainly hoping for an event over the summer involving people being able to go for a walk and enjoy afternoon tea afterwards.

“As important as the fundraising is, raising the profile of these local charities is equally as important. I hope we can achieve both during the forthcoming year.”

 About the role of chair

Ceremonial duties performed by the chair include:

• being the politically impartial civic leader of Oxfordshire
• promoting the objectives and services of the county council and Oxfordshire 
• acting as an ambassador for the county council and Oxfordshire
• fostering community identity and pride.

Key responsibilities include:

• presiding over meetings of the full council
• accepting invitations on behalf of the county council to attend events
• inviting individuals and representatives of key organisations to events at County Hall and other venues.

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Southmoor Little Angels – which opened today, Tuesday 7 May – will provide year round, extended day childcare for children from six months to four years of age.

Government funded places will also be available, with a range of options including term time only attendance.

Southmoor Little Angels will use a former children’s centre building, which has been  refurbished with the help of a £35,000 grant from Oxfordshire County Council.

Councillor John Howson, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Young People’s Services, said: “The new nursery in Southmoor will provide a safe and stimulating environment for young children, delivered by an experienced Oxfordshire childcare provider.

“I am very proud of this latest nursery project, part of Oxfordshire County Council’s ongoing commitment to provide the very best start for every child in the county.”

Kaye Merriman, Director of Little Angels Childcare Group, said: “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our brand new nursery in Southmoor, providing for the educational and developmental needs of young children.

“With a focus on providing a nurturing and enriching environment, we are committed to offering high-quality inclusive education and care that fosters a love for learning.”

Parents wanting further information about Southmoor Little Angels should email:

info@littleangelschildcaregroup.co.uk, or phone 01865 597512.

Your Oxfordshire

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Oxfordshire County Council is planning to make minor changes near the junction to create a separate lane for vehicles travelling to the city centre, accompanied by more road markings. A two-lane northbound approach to the Church Cowley Road junction will be reinstated. This will include the removal of a small number of the cycle lane wands.

This follows local feedback and a review of recent accidents – several of which have involved a motor vehicle and a person cycling.

Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Environment and Place, said: “We are very concerned that there have been several serious road traffic collisions in this area. The works are an important safety action to protect road users and local residents in Rose Hill.

“The works are intended to improve the visibility of vulnerable road users, reduce incidents in this location, and address concerns that vehicles are using the adjacent Rose Hill slip road to bypass the junction.”

During the works it is expected that there will be a single lane closure on the road, therefore, they will be carried out in the evening to minimise disruption.

These works form a part of wider highways review and safety improvements being carried out through the city and county, and the location will continue to be closely monitored. There are no other changes proposed near the junction as part of these works.

Ends

For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Following Oxfordshire County Council’s allocation last year of £1.2 million for rural public and community transport, further new buses will be launched on April 15 to connect more villages to market towns and Oxford.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “I’m really delighted to be able to back our commitment to high quality public transport with real delivery and budget, in rural areas as well as our larger towns.

“Not everyone has access to a car and so public transport is essential to help people get around for work, shopping, and socialising. We know there is a demand for bus services in these locations, which can’t be met by the commercial operators, and we are glad to be able to help fill this gap.”

The new services will all be operated by accessible minibuses from the council’s in-house fleet but will be open to all bus users.

The announcement follows the introduction in November 2023 of new bus routes to villages, which had been without public transport since 2016, and the allocation of grants worth nearly £425,000 to improve community transport in Oxfordshire last month.

The new routes are:

• 42: Abingdon to Oxford via Sunningwell, Bayworth, Boars Hill and South Hinksey (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays).
• 49: Cuddesdon and Denton to Cowley Templars Square and Oxford City Centre (Tuesdays and Thursdays; on Tuesdays via Toot Baldon and Marsh Baldon and on Thursdays via King's Copse and Cowley Tesco).
• 79: Hornton, Horley and Hanwell to Banbury Town Centre and Banbury Gateway (Thursdays only).
• 85: Goosey, Charney Bassett, Lyford, West Hanney and Denchworth to Grove and Wantage (Wednesdays only).
• 107: Oddington, Charlton-on-Otmoor, Fencott and Murcott to Bicester via Langford (Fridays only).

Timetables will be available on Traveline later this month.

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The first Respect our Workforce Week runs from 11 - 15 March. It is organised by campaign group Stamp it Out and is supported by Oxfordshire County Council, its highways contractor Milestone and has the backing of Thames Valley Police.

The past decade has seen a rise in reported incidents, with a minority of motorists or residents taking their frustration out on roadworkers over delays as improvements are made to the network.

In Oxfordshire, some workers have been confronted with a knife, racially abused, physically manhandled and even threatened with shooting.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “It is completely unacceptable for people to act in this way against those who are working in dangerous locations in all sorts of weather conditions to improve the condition of our roads.

“I was shocked to learn that 70 per cent of roadworkers are the victim of verbal or physical abuse every month, while half say they have been verbally abused in the last seven days. That’s why we are supporting the Respect our Workforce campaign and urge everyone to treat those working on our roads with common courtesy.”

Milestone has formed a roadworker safety group as part of its commitment to ensuring the health and safety of everyone working on the highways and created an app for employees to report verbal threats or assault.

Jim Daughton, Milestone Operations Director, said: “No one should face abuse simply for doing their job. At Milestone we are committed to ensuring the safety of everyone on the road network – and that includes our staff.

“Our teams are now equipped with body worn cameras and site CCTV is in place, where necessary. The message today is clear: abuse to highways operatives will not be tolerated.”

Kevin Robinson, Founder and Campaign Director of Stamp It Out, said: “Respect our Workforce Week marks a vital point in this campaign. It is not acceptable to abuse a doctor, nurse, teacher, or retailer worker, so why should those working on the public highway accept this too?”

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The trial features electric vehicles (EVs), which can be hired on an hourly or daily basis from district and city council owned car parks around the county. They are currently in place in Bicester, Banbury, Kidlington, Eynsham, Henley, Wallingford, Abingdon, Witney and Oxford.

The pilot has been organised by Oxfordshire County Council and supported by Oxford City Council, Cherwell, South Oxfordshire, Vale of White Horse and West Oxfordshire district councils to assess the demand. The vehicles are provided by hire companies Co Wheels, Zimbl, and Enterprise CarClub.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “I’m extremely pleased to see the positive response to EV car clubs in many of the towns and villages involved in the pilot. I welcome the extension to the scheme, which will mean even more residents and businesses can try out these shared cars for themselves.

“Car clubs can play a key role in reducing carbon emissions in Oxfordshire, as well as reducing the number of individual vehicles on our roads and helping people to reduce the cost of living. If you haven’t tried them out, now’s your chance.”

Since the start of the pilot, more than 500 new members have signed up to use the EV car clubs and the vehicles have been hired over 2,000 times.

It is estimated that a successful car club vehicle can take on average 20 individually owned cars – often petrol or diesel vehicles – off the road.

The continued success of the scheme is dependent on increasing use of the vehicles in the pilot, so residents are encouraged to make use of introductory offers available and try out their local vehicle while they can.  If the vehicles continue to be well used, some of the current sites could be considered as long term locations for car club EVs, and a wider rollout could also follow in other locations. 

Eynsham car club user, Lisa Hynes, said: “We have used the Co Wheels car in Eynsham and it’s been brilliant.

“It’s right in the centre of Eynsham and has meant that we haven’t needed to buy an additional car as we can use the Co Wheels car as and when we need it. We have really enjoyed driving an electric car too.”

EV car clubs give people the chance to use an EV when they need one, without the expense of owning or leasing one outright. Car clubs can make it much more affordable for people who don’t drive every day and provide real-world experience of driving electric without a long-term commitment.

EVs in the scheme can be hired from £5.95 per hour, including insurance, plus 12p per electric mile. Residents can make use of promotions, reduced membership and driving credit offers as part of the pilot scheme.

Updated details about where your nearest car club location is, and information about promotional offers, can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Lessons learned from the pilot will feed into a countywide car club strategy being developed by the county council later this year.

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We have produced a flooding toolkit that provides advice and support for residents and businesses on preparing for and recovering from a flood.

Funding

If your property or business has been flooded or significantly impacted due to flooding by storm Henk between 2 to 12 January 2024, you may be eligible for grants under the Flood Recovery Framework. Read more about this on .gov.uk.

There are a number of schemes available, however certain eligibility criteria will need to be met to access the funding. For more information on what funding is available, eligibility criteria and how to claim please visit our Flood Toolkit website.

Sandbags

Most sandbags used for residential properties can be disposed of at one of our Household Waste and Recycling Centres. Use gloves when handling the sandbags, and speak to a member of site staff on arrival for further advice. Businesses should arrange their own collections.

A visit to the waste wizard provides further advice on the disposal of both contaminated and uncontaminated sandbags and other items in your area of Oxfordshire.

If you have unusued sandbags, it is recommended that you keep hold of these until the end of the flood season.

Cleaning and drying homes

When cleaning and drying a property affected by floods, it’s important to protect yourself from floodwater, which can be harmful to humans and animals. Wear rubber boots, protective overalls and waterproof gloves.

UKHSA has helpful information on staying safe while cleaning your home after a flood.

The National Flood Forum has produced a helpful leaflet to help those affected by flooding. It outlines what you can expect from your insurer over the comings weeks and months during recovery.

Protecting your health

Whilst all of us are familiar with a degree of adversity in life, flooding and its consequences is a particular difficult and stressful experience for everyone, and for some people it may be terrifying and even life-threatening. Whilst the waters may recede quite quickly, repairing the devastation left behind takes much longer. Practical problems, financial worries, red tape and uncertainty all need to be dealt with. 

Anyone caught up in this may feel upset, worried and exhausted. Such feelings can last a few days or weeks, depending on how long it takes for life to get back to some kind of normality.

If you are still experiencing significant distress 4-6 weeks after the floods, then you should seek a consultation with your family doctor for further advice and guidance. 

Flood warnings and flood alerts

You can keep up to date with flood warnings and alerts in Oxfordshire on the Environment Agency’s website or by following @EnvAgencySE on X. You can sign up to receive free flood warnings by email, text or both. 

For help and support you can also call the Environment Agency’s 24 hour flooding hotline on 0345 988 1188.

If the Environment Agency issues a flood alert this indicates that an area should prepare, including making defences and staying up to date with the latest information. When a flood warning is issued, this indicates a greater level of severity.

You can also monitor individual levels on the county's rivers, streams and brooks and rainfall statistics from rain gauges in your local area.

Information from other agencies

• Oxford City Council is sharing information on flooding in the city.
• News and information is also being shared by South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council .
• Information for north Oxfordshire is available from Cherwell District Council .
• West Oxfordshire District Council  also has a news page.
• GWR is updating information about travel difficulties linked to the weather
• The Oxford Bus Company is providing service updates on its websites relating to flooding impacts. Stagecoach Oxfordshire is providing updates on X/Twitter .
• Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks list power outages at any one moment.  You can zoom in and out of the map on this page or search by postcode.

Measures had already been proposed to address what had become an £11.2m shortfall after central government grant funding announcements failed to provide local government with the required finance to meet the pressures being experienced across the nation.

The proposals form part of the final budget being recommended to the council’s cabinet on 30 January, which will then be decided at the annual budget setting meeting of all 63 county councillors on 20 February.

Councillor Dan Levy, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “Councils throughout the country made clear to central government through the Local Government Association and other channels that more funding was needed this year and in following years due to the high levels of pressures in areas such as social care, special educational needs and other services.

“There has been deep disappointment at the failure of government to address these issues.

“Our track record of responsible financial management means that Oxfordshire County Council has been in a more resilient position than many other authorities. However, the overall position is extremely challenging.

“This final batch of proposed measures means we are able to put forward a balanced budget but it has been a difficult process and we know this is mirrored in town and county halls throughout the land. We know that we, and local government as a whole, will continue to face difficult financial challenges in 2025/26 and beyond.

“It remains the case that our budgets for both adults and children’s social care will increase in real-terms after accounting for inflation in 2024, with investments to meet pressures outweighing savings proposals.”

What are the newly proposed measures?

• The county council has been notified that district councils have given a further improved forecast as to how much council tax will be collected in Oxfordshire. This amounts to £300,000.
• The council is able to reduce the amount it puts in contingency funding by £100,000.
• The council’s award-winning innovation hub (iHub) will move to becoming self-financing, which has created a saving of £300,000. It was launched in 2018 by the council to promote innovation in the county. This includes developing solutions on intelligent infrastructure, health, environment and mobility systems, as well as implementing projects to improve the local economy and environment for Oxfordshire’s citizens.
• A series of rises to charges for on-street parking and residents parking permits (helping cover the full costs of maintenance of controlled parking zones), This would raise £200,000 combined. 

Further detail

Detail as regards proposed on-street parking and residents parking changes:

• Abingdon: On-street parking pay and display would rise from £1.10 for one hour (8am to 6pm excluding Sundays and Bank Holidays) to £1.30. Two hours rises from £1.50 to £2.
• Oxford city centre central area (Zone 1): Street parking for one hour would rise from £6.60 to £7.60; two hours from £13.20 to £15.20. Evening parking would also rise from £6.60 to £7.60. Parking for an hour on Saturday rises from £6.60 to £7.60 and from £13.20 to £15.20 for two hours.
• Oxford city centre (Zone 2 including Jericho): Street parking for one hour would rise from £5.50 to £6.30 and for three hours from £16.50 to £19. Street parking for evenings and Sundays would rise from £5.50 to £6.30.
• Wallingford: Street parking for one and a half hours would rise from 70p to 80p.
• Residents parking permits: In Abingdon and Henley-on-Thames, a second batch of 25 visitor permits would rise from £27.50 to £31.50.
• In Oxford, business permits would rise from £44 to £50.50 for three months, £82.50 to £95 for six months and £126.50 to £145 for nine months. An annual permit would rise from £165 to £190. A change of vehicle charge will rise from £22 to £25.
• In Oxford, residents parking permits would rise from £70 to £80 for a first and second car and £140 to £161 for a third car In the Kassam Stadium area a permit would rise from £17.50 to £20.
• In Oxford a traders permit per week would rise from £27.50 to £31.50. A second batch of 25 visitor permits would rise from £27.50 to £31.50.
• In Banbury and Bicester a residents parking permit would rise from £66 to £76 with a second batch of 25 visitor permits rising from £27.50 to £31.50
• In Wantage and Wallingford a residents parking permit would rise from £100 to £110, and a second 25 visitor permits would rise from £25 to £31.50.
• Parking bay suspensions:  The charge for the suspension of a parking pay (both pay and display and non pay and display) would rise from £33 to £38.

Shared Lives is a scheme run by Oxfordshire County Council that matches caring households with adults who have additional care needs, offering them a place to stay and grow their independence.

At any one time, around 100 people are supported through the programme in Oxfordshire. And last night, at Abingdon’s Drayton Golf Club, carers were celebrated for welcoming people into their homes for periods of 10, 20 and 30 years.

One of those receiving an award for 30 years of dedication to the shared lives scheme was Sue Clayton. Sue lives in a village on the outskirts of Wallingford and has supported more than 30 people during her time in the programme.

Sue said: “It’s been an interesting 30 years! I would recommend this to other people, and I often do. It’s kept me young! I would urge even more people to come forward and get involved.”

Rosemary Dean (pictured above) was also acknowledged for sharing 30 years of her life supporting others. Rosemary lives near Watlington and decided to take part in the scheme after adapting her home for a family member to move in. Having initially supported older people, she now supports younger people through Shared Lives as well.

Rosemary said: “Being a part of Shared Lives and literally extending our family to include the wonderful variety of people we have met over the years, has been a privilege. It has been very rewarding and an honour.” 

The evening celebrated 19 households in total, with awards handed out by senior leaders at Oxfordshire County Council including: Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Tim Bearder; Chief Executive, Martin Reeves; Deputy Director of Adult Social Care, Victoria Baran and Executive Director of People, Stephen Chandler.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “It’s been an absolute honour to be a part of the awards, celebrating some of our county’s most dedicated carers. I’ve seen first hand how  Shared Lives brings benefits not only to the adults being offered support, but also how the experience gives back to the carers who are opening up their homes. 

“Shared Lives is the epitome of our Oxfordshire Way vision – supporting people to live happy, independent lives in their own communities. I offer my thanks to everyone involved for making such a difference to people’s lives.”

Shared Lives carers come from all walks of life, from different backgrounds and live in all kinds of homes. You can earn up to £500 a week by supporting someone at home and fit it around your life and work commitments.

If you think you could support an adult with additional needs, you can find out more about the programme at oxfordshire.gov.uk/sharedlives or calling 01865 897971

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Roknor House, based in Bath Street, Abingdon housed a takeaway business on the ground floor and a hotel on the first and second floors. Fire safety inspectors from Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service visited the premises in March 2021 following a tip off.

During the visit, several serious fire safety issues were identified. These included the fire alarm and emergency lighting systems not working, lack of adequate fire-resistant structure between the ground floor takeaway and the sleeping accommodation above and no fire risk assessment in place.

The premises were considered so dangerous that inspectors issued an immediate prohibition notice preventing sleeping in the property until fire safety measures were improved.

Mr Chuhar Singh of White Way, Kidlington pleaded guilty to six breaches of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 at a hearing on 25 August 2023.

He returned to Oxford Magistrates Court on Friday 20 October 2023 for sentencing, where he was fined £20,000 and was also ordered to pay over £3,000 in costs.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service provides fire safety advice to businessperson and employees. Email: fire.service@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Fire and rescue crews work every day to save and improve the lives of people across the county. For more information, visit: 365alive.co.uk

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The technique, known as in-situ cold recycling, also allowed the road to be reopened eight days quicker than by using conventional resurfacing techniques.

Oxfordshire County Council carried out the scheme on a road north of Berrick Salome, near Wallingford, with its contractor Milestone Infrastructure and its partner Stabilised Pavements Limited.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We know how important the quality of our roads is to our residents, as well as the need for the county council to reduce the embodied carbon of its highway maintenance work. That is why we’re delighted to be delivering this scheme to make our residents’ money go further and reduce disruption.

“Innovation is at the heart of what our highway teams do. This new technique could be another weapon in our armoury to help ease the burden on highways budgets and cut carbon emissions in our projects.”

In-situ cold recycling involves pulverising the existing carriageway in its original place and then mixing it with foamed bitumen and cementitious powder to create a new 300mm-deep strengthened carriageway.

The material is then compacted to return the recycled layer back to the required road level before a thin surface layer, known as surface dressing, is applied to seal the surface and provide the required skid resistance.

As the technique does not require the material to be heated and involves a lot less import of virgin materials, it is an environmentally friendly technique. It is estimated to reduce carbon by approximately 71 per cent compared to conventional surfacing of the same depth.

On this scheme alone, this is the equivalent of 227 tonnes of carbon – roughly the same as taking over 100 petrol cars off the road for a year.

The new road surface is expected to last for at least 20 years, with routine maintenance. It also has the benefit of cutting 564 lorry movements to and from site, reducing the impact on local communities.

This Berrick Salome project is the latest in a series of innovations on the county’s roads, following:

• A third trial involving the longer lasting Graphene Plus-enhanced asphalt Gipave in Middle Barton in August.
• A trial of new lower carbon materials at a Wantage access road scheme in August.
• The testing of seven different pothole repair methods on a road in Steventon in July.

Phil Raven, Head of Technical Design for Milestone on the Oxfordshire Contract, said: “As we look for new ways to reduce carbon emissions within highways maintenance, increasing the use of recycled materials in our surfacing materials is an important tool in Milestone’s plan towards achieving net zero by 2040.  This is the first time we have been able to use this particular technique on our Oxfordshire network.

“Not only can this lead to carbon reduction and a cost-effective way to repair a rural highway, it can reduce disruption to road users and reduce lorry movements in local communities. This project is a good example of Milestone and Oxfordshire County Council being at the forefront of using innovative techniques to maintain the county’s roads.”

The Berrick Salome scheme is a £740,000 project, which also includes significant drainage repairs. The scheme started on 21 August and is planned to last for five weeks. The 1,650-metre length of surfacing work was completed in six days.

The work is being carried out under a full road closure due to the narrow width of the road to ensure the safety of road users and the workforce. A signed diversion route is in place.

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 The project supports the county council’s ambition to create a greener, healthier Oxfordshire by providing safer and easier active travel options for future inhabitants of planned developments in north Abingdon.

The work is set to improve junction capacity, as well as make cycling and walking easier and safer in the area. It will allow for shorter journey times by adding new south-facing slip roads to the A34, cycle and pedestrian safety improvements, and layby upgrades on the A34.

The junction currently has north-facing slips only and is located between Abingdon and Oxford.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said: “The approval of this application is fantastic news, as securing planning consent is a key milestone in moving forward with this project.

“The proposed work aims to improve connectivity from the north of Abingdon to the town centre and make it easier for people to choose walking, cycling or taking public transport as part of their daily routine. It will reduce traffic through Abingdon, making walking and cycling in the town safer and easier.

“Oxfordshire needs a modern, reliable, affordable and sustainable transport system. The wider Science Vale area will see significant growth in the coming years and investment is needed now so that the transport network can meet the demands that will be placed upon it in the future.”  

The county council held a public consultation in early 2021 to gather initial feedback on the scheme. Revised proposals based on the consultation feedback were included in the planning application.

In addition, as part of a wider package of transport measures surrounding the site, traffic calming measures are also proposed north of the Lodge Hill junction. These measures will be brought forward by Oxfordshire County Council separately to the Lodge Hill scheme, as they will only require amendments to existing road infrastructure.

Planning approval for the project was granted through a county council delegated decision, following submission of the original planning application in October 2022 and a supplementary submission to support the application earlier this year.

The A34 Lodge Hill scheme is funded from several sources including contributions from developers, Growth Deal and funding directly from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). However, following a review of the scheme in 2022, a funding gap was identified.

Currently, the council is engaging with Homes England to secure additional funding that will help accelerate the detailed design process and enable construction to begin.

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Oxfordshire County Council is carrying out the trial in North Street, Middle Barton, with its contractor Milestone Infrastructure and their partner Aggregate Industries to develop the use of Gipave – a Graphene Plus-enhanced asphalt.

North Street is the third Oxfordshire site to trial the innovative material. A 725-metre stretch of the road will be laid with Gipave, while an adjacent length of road will be resurfaced using conventional high performance asphalt, so that the two surfaces can be compared accurately.

It follows a successful pilot scheme in Curbridge in 2019 – the first use of the product in the UK – and a trial on Oxford’s Marsh Lane in March 2022.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We know how important the quality of our roads is to our residents. That is why we’re delighted to be involved in this latest trial to see how we can make our residents’ money go further and make our road surfaces stay in good condition for longer.

“Innovation is at the heart of what our highway teams do, as we have shown with previous Gipave trials and our recent event in Steventon where Milestone tested seven different pothole repair methods on the same road. Increasing the lifespan of road surfaces will reduce the need for resurfacing work, ease the burden on highways budgets, and cut carbon emissions for the life cycle of a stretch of road.”

Phil Raven, Head of Technical Design for Milestone on the Oxfordshire Contract, said: “This is another significant step to test the benefits that this innovative material can bring. As we look for new ways to reduce carbon emissions within highways maintenance, developing materials that last longer is an important part of Milestone’s plan towards achieving net zero by 2040.

“Not only can this lead to longer term carbon reduction, it has the potential to reduce disruption to road users and achieve long term savings for highway authorities. This trial project demonstrates the benefits of international industry collaboration with a highway authority that is committed to trialling new innovations.”

Gipave, which has been developed by Iterchimica, also uses waste plastics which would not normally be recycled. Meanwhile the asphalt containing Gipave can itself be entirely recycled – promoting the ‘circular economy’ which reduces waste and the need for new materials.

Recent in-service testing and analysis of the original 2019 trial site showed the new asphalt material is forecast to increase the lifespan of the asphalt pavement by approximately 165 per cent compared to conventional resurfacing methods, with a corresponding carbon saving of 40 per cent over 20 years.

The Middle Barton scheme is a £450,000 resurfacing project which also includes kerb and drainage repairs. The scheme started on 17 July and is planned to last for four weeks.

The surfacing works are being carried out under full overnight road closures to reduce the disruption to road users and local businesses and residents.

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Work will be carried out on the A4144 Woodstock Road, between the Wolvercote roundabout and St Anne’s College, just north of St Giles, 10 – 25 August.

To minimise disruption, the work is taking place between 8pm and 5am, and two-way temporary traffic lights will be in operation over a short section to avoid closing the road. Side roads will be closed if they fall within the traffic lights while the work is taking place.

All traffic management will be removed outside of the working hours and at weekends and marshals will be in place to help manage the flow of vehicles and assist motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and residents.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “This is a key road into Oxford and so it is important that this vital work is carried out to improve the carriageway.

“Because of the closure of the Botley Road due to Network Rail’s redevelopment of Oxford Station, this work is taking place overnight and during the school holidays to reduce the impact on the rest of the network.”

Bus services will continue as normal along the Woodstock Road although some stops will be suspended if they fall within the extent of the traffic management.

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Oxfordshire County Council will ask the government to allow it to introduce a lane rental scheme (LRS) which allows organisations working on the county’s busiest roads at the busiest times to face extra charges.

If approved, the LRS would encourage those working on the highway to prioritise off-peak hours and to complete the work as quickly as possible to reduce their costs. Any surplus money raised by the council would be used to help manage and improve the highway network.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We know only too well that roadworks during peak hours can have a huge impact on Oxfordshire’s road network. LRS would put the onus on the organisation causing the disruption to plan their projects carefully and consider other road users or face financial penalties.

“Only a handful of other authorities around the country have adopted this, so Oxfordshire County Council would be at the forefront of this policy, which has already successfully led to behaviour change from those carrying out roadworks in other parts of the country.”

The council has been operating a permit scheme for road and street works since 2020 and receives about 30,000 requests a year. These requests are coordinated, inspected, and enforced to reduce the impact on the travelling public.

However, the permit scheme charges only allow council costs to be recovered and, unlike LRS, doesn’t allow the council to impose specific charges to discourage those requesting to work on the busiest roads at the busiest times.

Benefits of the LRS include:

• encouraging collaborative working between works promoters
• improving the quality of work (to avoid return fees)
• works are undertaken outside of key times
• working smarter will reduce the time taken to complete works, including better use of technology.

Although specific details of the scheme would need to be developed if approval is given, core principles could include no charge for the first two days of a project, off-peak hours operating from 9.30am to 3pm, and the council’s own roadworks would not be exempt from the charges. Roughly five per cent of the highway network would be liable for charges, based on factors such as traffic volume and bus frequency.

Any surplus fees arising from the scheme must be invested back into the highway network to help improve the operation and management of it.

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The Oxford-based author of the Sunday Times bestselling DI Fawley crime series will be coming to Oxfordshire County Council’s Abingdon Library to talk about her first stand-alone novel, Murder in the Family.

Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and Safety, said: “I am delighted that once again Abingdon Library is welcoming another critically acclaimed author.

“Our Oxfordshire libraries have hosted so many acclaimed authors of both fiction and non-fiction writings in the past, including Mick Herron, Nicola Cornick and Peter Tickler. It’s great to be able to welcome to many big names and hopefully encourage more people to develop a love of books.”

Cara Hunter also commented on her upcoming appearance: "I love doing local events and especially in libraries. We didn't have many books at home when I was growing up so I owe my love of reading – and where I am now – entirely to libraries."

Cara's novels have sold over a million copies worldwide. Her upcoming release Murder in the Family has already been optioned for TV by Neal Street Productions – the company behind TV hits such as 1917 and Call the Midwife.

The event starts at 6pm and will include an audience question and answer session and a chance to purchase signed copies of her new book. Tickets cost £2, which includes refreshments, and are available by asking at the library or calling 01235 520374.

Oxfordshire County Council’s libraries regularly hold events, most of which are free of charge, for people of all ages, from ‘rhymetime’ for young children to ‘knit and natter’ for adults and much more. Find out more about what’s on by visiting the county council’s libraries’ webpages.

More information

Murder in the Family is an ingeniously plotted and addictive novel about an unsolved murder that gripped the nation. When Luke Ryder was found dead in the garden of the family home in London in 2003, he left behind a wealthy, older widow and three stepchildren. Years later, a group of experts are filmed on the set of a true-crime show as they re-examine the evidence – with shocking results.

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For one individual across the pond, Teresa Bennett, it was particularly stressful to find out her rescue dog, Cora, had destroyed a signed copy of a book she had borrowed.

However, thanks to the work of staff at Oxfordshire County Council’s Abingdon Library, Indianapolis-based Teresa was able to replace the book, Slow Horses by Mick Herron, and even get her own signed copy of his latest collection.

Jess Williams, Customer Service Advisor at Abingdon Library, explained the unusual request: “Last November, we were lucky to welcome Mick Herron to Abingdon Library to promote his newest story collection, Standing by the Wall.

“Shortly before the event, I was contacted by a lady from the USA, who explained her dog had chewed a prized copy of a Mick Herron book she had borrowed. She was desperate to organise a new, signed copy to replace the destroyed one.

“As the book has been adapted into a TV show, its popularity meant it was difficult for her to get her hands on a copy – and even harder for an autographed copy.

“We regularly hold events at Abingdon Library with famous authors, speakers and much more. She noticed through her online search that we were hosting an event to launch Mick Herron’s latest series of short stories and asked if this meant we could help her to get a book autographed for her.”

So working closely with contacts back in America, Jess worked around the clock to get a copy of the book to the library in time for the event. Eventually Teresa Bennett managed to get a second-hand copy delivered at the eleventh hour, but when it arrived at the library, typically, it was in very bad condition.

Miraculously though, the Abingdon Library team managed to get hold of another copy just in time to get it signed at the event.

She continued: “When I explained to Mick Herron about the mishap, and the international efforts undertaken to get this book to him, he absolutely loved it. Not only did he sign the book but he also asked to get in touch with Teresa directly.

“This is such a wonderful example of how libraries and books can unite people and spread happiness and, in this case, from across the globe. It’s amazing that somebody all the way in Indianapolis called on Abingdon Library for help and I was delighted to play my part in the story of a dog, a book and a thriller writer.”

As Mick Herron testified himself: “The tale of Cora and her taste for fiction is one of those delightful episodes that come along every so often, proving that stories don't only happen in books – even if the best ones end up in libraries!”

He’s since arranged for Teresa to receive a signed copy of Standing by the Wall, signing it, ‘Teresa & Cora – Another tasty book …. With my best wishes, Mick Herron.’

Mark McCree, Service Manager for Libraries and Heritage at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “This story just shows how much a love of literature can unite us all over the world and how much our library staff will go above and beyond to help people get their hands on a book!”

Oxfordshire County Council’s libraries, including Abingdon, regularly hold events, most of which are free of charge, for people of all ages, from rhymetime for young children to knit and natter for adults and much more. Find out more about what’s on by visiting the county council’s libraries’ webpages.

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It was one of seven communities to have applications for 20mph limits approved by Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management Councillor Andrew Gant and Council Leader Cllr Liz Leffman on 27 April.

The others were Cumnor, Faringdon, Forest Hill, Shrivenham, Steventon and Woodcote.

The latest decisions mean that in the 12 months since the first phase of the council’s £8 million project started:

• 208 communities have applied for 20mph limits
• 72 schemes have been approved
• 53 installations have been completed, including Witney.

The project is being carried out in three phases between 2022-25. Applications for this year are full, but communities can still apply to be included in the final 2024-25 phase.

Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director of Environment and Place, said: “There is a clear link between the speed of traffic and the likelihood of accidents happening in which people are killed or injured. You are seven times more likely to survive if you are hit by a car driving at 20mph than if you are hit at 30mph.”

The scheme is free to town and parish councils, with the county council funding sign-only changes for areas wishing to be part of the changes as long as locations meet the agreed criteria for 20mph restrictions.

Town and parish councils will be expected to fund any traffic calming measures or speed-activated signs that may be required to support the new limit in their areas.

Applications for 20mph streets and roads need to be supported by the parish or town council and by the relevant local county councillor. More information, including details on how to apply, is available on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

While the council has been working alongside Thames Valley Police, the emphasis is on drivers adhering to the new limits through a change of mindset, rather than enforcement. It is hoped that as 20mph areas become more common, breaking the limit will become socially unacceptable for drivers.

The 20mph programme also fits in with the council’s Vision Zero policy, which aims to eliminate all deaths and serious injuries from Oxfordshire’s roads by 2050.

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