Archive
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Trust delayed issuing swine flu alert
Health officials deliberately did not alert the public about Oxford’s first case of swine flu for almost 24 hours, we can reveal. Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust told the public a six-year-old girl – a pupil at Sandhills Primary School who had
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HORSE RACING: River flows home
Lunar River, trained by David Pinder at Kingston Lisle, near Wantage, sprang a 14-1 surprise at Lingfield on Friday. The six-year-old, ridden by Fergus Sweeney, beat Demeanour by a length and a quarter in a ten-furlong handicap.
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Man held after cannabis raid
POLICE have destroyed a cannabis factory found inside a loft in a house on an Oxford estate. About 50 mature cannabis plants were discovered when police raided the house in Field Avenue, Blackbird Leys, at 6.40am today. A 50-year-old man was arrested
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Traders get permission for carnival fringe
SHOPKEEPERS in Oxford’s Cowley Road have been given a provisional go-ahead for an alternative summer celebration to temper the loss of the area’s carnival. The Cowley Road Carnival, which last year attracted 35,000 revellers, was due to take place on
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Trust admits it did delay swine flu alert
HEALTH officials deliberately did not alert the public about Oxford’s first case of swine flu for almost 24 hours, the Oxford Mail can reveal. Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust told the public a six-year-old girl –– a pupil at Sandhills Primary School who
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Bonn Square tree protester jailed for burglary
A BURGLAR who was caught after leaving a Panama hat at the scene of a break-in was yesterday jailed for 12 months. Gabriel Chamberlain, who hit the headlines when he staged a tree protest in Oxford city centre, was last night behind bars after breaking
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Council takes down probation centre protest banners
BANNERS protesting against plans to build a probation centre in Oxford have been taken down by the county council. The two banners, which were designed and made by schoolchildren, were attached to railings near the railway bridge in Botley
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Top fundraiser sends message to Town & Gown runners
A YOUNG fundraiser with a special connection to the Oxford Town and Gown race has urged any undecided runners to put on their trainers and get involved. James Lewis, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, is well known to regular competitors in the popular
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MOTORSPORT: Bradley hits the headlines
Bradley Smith called into the Oxford Mail offices yesterday – and was surprised when sports editor Mark Edwards presented him with a framed memento, highlighting his maiden Grand Prix victory. Smith admits he has been overwhelmed with the reaction to
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Wheatley councillor breached code over plan application
A DISTRICT councillor is facing a call to resign after breaching the local authority’s code of conduct by lobbying a planning committee over a neighbour’s extension. South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) said Wheatley councillor Andrew
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Bodleian books ‘too high up’
HISTORIC books in the Bodleian Library have been left out of reach after a health and safety directive banned ladders from a reading room. Students wanting to access works on the top shelf in the gallery section of the Duke Humfreys room have been unable
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Couple in fear after blaze wrecks caravans
A FAMILY has spoken of their horror after a suspected arson attack wrecked two caravans parked behind their home. Diana and Norman Wood, of Campion Hall Drive, in Didcot, woke up to the sound of an explosion in their back garden. Firefighters from
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Beard enjoys healthy growth
Bosses at Oxford building firm Beard are cautiously optimistic after unveiling a healthy set of financial figures. The business, based on Cumnor Hill, saw its pre-tax profits treble to 1.05m, while turnover rose 30 per cent to £55.8m for the year to
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Miss Oxfordshire finalists vie for prize
THE finalists have now been chosen for this year’s Miss Oxfordshire contest and Daniella Luan, a former Miss Oxford and Miss England, will be one of the judges. Miss Luan Timms, from Oxford, who became Miss England 2002 and represented her
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College withdraws campus plan for more talks
Keble College’s plans to demolish the former Acland Hospital to make way for a new city centre campus were withdrawn from a council agenda yesterday. The controversial scheme was set to be considered by the city council’s north area committee
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First Oxford Fashion Week is a big hit
OXFORD’S first fashion week has been hailed a success after hundreds of people flocked to catwalk shows across the city. Six different events over the past week showcased designs from big industry names such as Alexander McQueen, French Connection, Zara
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Abingdon dragon racers dust off their paddles
AMATEUR sailors are dusting off their paddles and gearing up to try their hand at an ancient Chinese tradition. The Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper is hosting its 10th annual Dragon Boat Race on the south bank of the River Thames on Sunday.
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Wheatley windmill comes back to life
A WINDMILL which has stood unused for nearly 100 years came back to life today. It was the culmination of more than 30 years work for Wheatley villagers, as all four canvas sails were attached to the rebuilt timber frame of Wheatley Windmill and the
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Keep taxing the rich
I THINK it was a sensible move by the Government to bring in the 50 per cent rate of tax for the rich. Though Rod Stewart and Andrew Lloyd-Webber talk of going abroad to dodge it, I think we can manage quite well without them. Some of our prima donna
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Heroes charity needs your support
I AM writing on behalf of the team responsible for organising the Jump for Heroes project, in support of the charity Help for Heroes. Our project takes the form of a John o’ Groats to Lands End cycle and tandem skydive marathon, at five drop
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Sensible comments amid probation centre alarm
WHAT good and sensible comments Graham McCartney, Assistant Chief Probation Officer for Oxfordshire, made about the plans for a new ‘mega’ probabtion centre in Mill Street (Oxford Mail, May 4). Let me quote him: “We have no evidence at all that crime
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GREYHOUNDS: Lazerus revival lifts local trio
A great moment for Oxford owners Mick Lowe and Pete Dawson, not forgetting trainer Richard Yeates, as Lazerus got them over the first hurdle in the Blue Square Greyhound Derby at Wimbledon. They will readily agree that the fawn dog is a long
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Royal email should stimulate young
AS A member of the Royal Commonwealth Society (Oxford branch), I very much welcome and applaud Her Majesty the Queen’s email message to young people around the world. She thanked those young people who responded to an invitation to help her
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GREYHOUNDS: Baiden is happy
Racing manager Gary Baiden has stressed that all trainers at Oxford are free to go dual attachment to another track while maintaining their position at Cowley. The matter arose after Swindon handler Nick Colton became attached to Oxford as well. Baiden
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GREYHOUNDS: Northeven to give rivals blues
Northeven Blue, who was crowned greyhound of the year in 2008, is napped to get back to winning ways in a competitive-looking A2 over the 450m distance at Oxford Stadium on Saturday night. The Terry Kibble-trained charge faces a strong challenge from
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SNOOKER: Fieldside handed top title
Fieldside secured the Gentworks Oxford & District Snooker League Premier Division title when Abigndon RBL handed them a walkover. Needing to win one of their final two matches to clinch the crown, Fieldside were firm favourites. But the wrapped things
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One extreme to the other
IT’S been a week of extremes – on Wednesday for instance, I met up with an old school friend I last saw 20 years ago, and probably now won’t see for 20 more. Why? Well, because over the course of the evening, every time I’d mention so-and-so or
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FOOTBALL: City prices are frozen
Oxford City have frozen their admission prices for next season. Season tickets to watch the Southern League Premier Division outfit, who narrowly missed out on the play-offs, remain at £140 (£120 if bought by August 1). Concession prices are £70
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EU directive spells misery for chickens
REGARDING the EU Broiler Directive on meat chicken welfare; it would be extremely disappointing for the UK Government to lower chicken welfare standards despite soaring sales of higher welfare chicken, major shifts in retailer policies and high-profile
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Greedy shops their own worst enemy
No wonder the economy is in such a bad way. Too many greedy companies want big profits. As an example, I went to a well-known store to buy a one metre-long ethernet cable for my partner’s computer. The shop wanted £19.99, which I thought was expensive
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Local share prices (PM)
AEA Technology 18 BMW 2413 Electrocomponents 155.5 Nationwide Accident Repair 96 Oxford Biomedica 10 Oxford Catalysts 35.5 Oxford Instruments 150.25 Reed Elsevier 542.34 RM 142.5 RPS Group 194.75 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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ANGLING: Andy lands two 40s in two days
Local carp specialist Andrew Shellard thought his birthday and Christ-mas had arrived early when he slipped his net under a 41lb common carp – and the following day netted a 42.8.0 mirror from the same local pit. Besides the two 40’s, Andrew also had
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British Gas cuts electricity prices
For immediate release: Thursday 7 May 2009 BRITISH GAS CUTS ELECTRICITY PRICES: WILL OTHERS FOLLOW? British Gas cuts electricity prices by 10% today making it the cheapest electricity supplier in the UK[1] The price cut affects
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ANGLING: Ryan wins photo-finish
The fourth match in the Predator Spring League series was held at Stable Lake, Kirtlington, fished by 18. It was a very closely fought thing, with only 4.2.0 splitting the first three places. Alternating between the method feeder and maggot to the island
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CYCLE SPEEDWAY: Horspath still the ones to catch
Horspath Hammers maintained their flying start to the season after a fine 95-84 win over the Southampton Saints. The result means Hammers stay top of the South West region table with a 100 per cent record. Despite Saints’ clever use of the tactical
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Beefcake On The Menu
LA FONTANA, OXFORD ROAD, EAST HANNEY 01235 868287. Katherine MacAlister loses her appetite over a delicious dinner at La Fontana in Wantage with Here Come The Boys! AND what would you like to order madam?” the waitress asked. “Beefcake
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SWIMMING: Sam's star man for City
City of Oxford’s Sam van de Schootbrugge won three golds at the South East Region Youth Championships at Aldershot Garrison Pool. He won the 16 & under 400m and 200m individual medleys, before striking gold in the 200m freestyle, and silver in the 200m
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Quaff with the Coens
To celebrate the start of the third Oxford Film Festival, which this year showcases the films of the Coen Brothers, drinks editor Jessica Mann takes a look at appropriate tipples to accompany each film. Tomorrow night is the launch of the
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TENNIS: New courts a hit in Didcot
Tennis players in Didcot are celebrating following the opening of new courts. Three courts and a multi use games area, costing £94,000, have been set up in Ladygrove Park. Funding for the project was provided by the National Lottery, South Oxfordshire
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MOTORSPORT: Rees gearing up for title charge
Oxford driver Paul Rees has set his sights on a title charge in the Formula Palmer Audi Championship. The 23-year-old is fourth in the standings after the first three races at Brands Hatch last weekend. He finished fifth in the opener
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CYCLING: Marvellous Macke is national champ
Oxfordshire schoolboy William Macke had two reasons to celebrate after being crowned national cycling champion. Macke (pictured right in yellow), who is a year 9 pupil at Wood Green School, Witney, won the under 14 British Schools Cycling Association
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BOXING: Hill aims to start scheme for girls
Berinsfield Girls ABC have launched a new initiative aimed at encouraging girls and women to take up boxing in Oxfordshire. The idea is the brainchild of Naomi Hill, a trainer of Britain’s second all-female outfit to be established in England – the first
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Launch Into Space
SARAH MAYHEW treks around Oxford to find some surprising art installations. It’s a busy old month on the Oxford arts circuit this month, and adding yet further strings to Oxford’s arty bow is construct/ deconstruct, a multi-venue exhibition showing
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YOUTH CRICKET: Hume stakes claim with ton
Nigel Hume compiled a magnificent century as he helped Oxfordshire Under 17s to an 85-run victory over their Under 16 counterparts in a friendly at East & West Hendred on Bank Holiday Monday. Hume, an under 16, had been moved up to the under 17s due
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YOUTH CRICKET: Burton shines in opener
Caitie Burton scored a superb half century as Oxfordshire Under 15s kicked off their ECB Girls County Championship campaign with a 148-run victory over Wiltshire at Tiddington. Oxon won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. And although losing
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YOUTH CRICKET: Sabin leads the way
Lloyd Sabin scored an unbeaten half century to help Banbury to a convincing 89-run victory over Sandford St Martin in Section A of the Oxfordshire Under 15 Club Championship. Batting first, Banbury rattled up 139-2, Sabin finishing on 53 not out, Clarke
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SCHOOLS' CRICKET: Costley's knock is in vain
Sam Costley’s half-century proved in vain for Henry Box as they slipped to an eight-run defeat against Witney rivals Cokethorpe in the Bunbury Under 12 Cup. Costley made 59 of Henry Box’s 113-4 after Cokethorpe had posted 121-5 with Williams Parsons
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Boy assaulted in Berinsfield
Police are appealing for witnesses after a boy was assaulted in Berinsfield. A 14-year-old boy was by the library car park near Green Furlong yesterday when a man grabbed him by the shoulder. The boy managed to run away and as he did so the man shouted
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Boy assaulted outside library
Police are appealing for witnesses after a 14-year-old boy was assaulted outside Berinsfield Library, Green Furlong, in Berinsfield, at 6.15am yesterday. A man grabbed him by the shoulder but he managed to run away and as he did so the man shouted at
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Wilder signs 3-year contract
Oxford United manager Chris Wilder today signed a new three-year contract. And he admits he is excited about the prospects for the future at the club. "Talks had been ongoing for a while but we hadn’t had time to finalise things during the season.
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3-D Stunner
CORALINE (PG). Family/Drama. Featuring the voices of Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman, Ian McShane, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Robert Bailey Jr, Keith David. There’s no place like home in Coraline, the first ever stop-motion
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Set Phasers On Stunning
STAR TREK (12A). Sci-Fi/Action/Drama/Romance. Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Eric Bana, Zoe Saldana, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Bruce Greenwood, Ben Cross, Winona Ryder, Chris Hemsworth, Jennifer Morrison. Space: the
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Lucky Boy
Rhydian may not have come first in X-Factor 2007, but he’s definitely the winner now. Katherine MacAlister talks to the boyo with the big Welsh voice before he comes to Oxford for his sell-out performance at the New Theatre. Blond, brash, egotistical
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Banana Drama
Expect laughter, tears, blood and bananas at The Oxford Revue on Monday, as Oxford Playhouse hosts the best of Oxford University comedy. Bursting with originality and wit, The Oxford Revue has been doing the comedy circuit for almost 50 years
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Service station closed until July for store development
A MAJOR Oxford service station will be closed until July while construction work on a Marks & Spencer food outlet is carried out. The BP garage on at the Wolvercote Roundabout on Woodstock Road, will not re-open until July 21 as the £850,000 scheme is
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Cannabis factory found in Oxford house
A CANNABIS factory has been found at a house on an Oxford estate. Police discovered around 50 cannabis plants at Field Avenue, in Blackbird Leys, when they raided the house at 6.40am today. A 50-year-old man is in custody after being arrested on suspicion
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Mini sales still struggling
SALES of the Oxford-built Mini car fell sharply again in April, new figures have revealed. A total of 17,320 cars were delivered to customers worldwide, a drop of 19.3 per cent on the same month last year. For the first four months of the year 60,912
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Local share prices (AM)
AEA Technology 18 BMW 2436 Electrocomponents 154.75 Nationwide Accident Repair 96 Oxford Biomedica 10 Oxford Catalyst 35.5 Oxford Instruments 147.25 Reed Elsevier 535.5 RM 144 RPS Group 191.25 Courtesy of Redmayne Bentley, Abingdon
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Wicked Whych
Tim Hughes brushes off his wellies, digs out his sleeping bag, and looks forward to the first, and nicest, big festival of the summer – Wychwood. DIG out your wellies, call your cider supplier and brush last year’s mud from your tent – the
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Agent in rent row
An Oxford landlord is threatening to send the bailiffs into the offices of an Oxford letting agent after receiving a court judgement against them for rent owed. Oxford academic Dr Andrew Fry, who employed Charles Lawson (Lettings) to rent out his flat
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Mini sales fall
Sales of the Cowley-built fell sharply again in April, new figures have revealed. A total of 17,320 cars were delivered to customers worldwide, a drop of 19.3 per cent on the same month last year. For the first four months of the year 60,912 cars were
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Punt Rockers
IT sounds like a preposterous idea. Invite every unsigned band in the county to send you a demo, whittle them down to 18 favourites, and stick them on stage at a selection of city centre venues – all on one night. Crazy, maybe, but for well
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Patsy riding by
Imagine my surprise this morning as the Volvo dragged itself onto the A34 to see former child actress Patsy Kensit bedecking the side of a lorry. At least I think it was her, and there are certainly worse ways to wake up in the morning. The strange
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Man faces stabbing charge
A 36-year-old man has been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to endanger life, common assault and dangerous driving. Russell King, of Elizabeth Close, Henley, was charged yesterday and has been remanded in custody to appear at Oxford
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Women take driving seat
The face of the Thames Valley Police Roads Policing department has changed this week as two women have taken up the driving seat. Acting Supt Gill Wootton will take over as head of the department from Supt Mick Doyle, who is retiring after 30 years
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Gannett gives charities a helping hand
More than £20,000 has been given to Oxfordshire charities in the latest round of community grants by the publishers of Newsquest Oxfordshire's titles. The Gannett Foundation, which is part of Gannett, the owner of Newsquest Oxfordshire, has
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Williams sign Green Flag deal
RBS and the AT&T Williams team today announced that Green Flag, the rescue and recovery experts, will become part of RBS’ F1 sponsorship. Allan Watt, head of Group Brand Communications at RBS, said: "The RBS association with Williams is set to run until
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HANDS OFF WILDER
OXFORD United are close to putting in-demand boss Chris Wilder on a three-year contract. It comes after the U’s yesterday rejected an official approach from Burton Albion to speak to Wilder about their vacant manager’s position. Chairman Kelvin Thomas
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Oxfam takes recession hit
Fewer items are being donated to Oxfam charity shops as recession-hit families cut their spending, the charity revealed today. So far this year donations are down 12 per cent, which could mean a total of 1.2 million fewer donations by the end of the
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Happy landing for our RAF bases
OXFORDSHIRE certainly came out on the right side of the Government’s review of RAF bases. While it confirmed extra plans and personnel will move to RAF Brize Norton and Benson, it also removed the threat of closure or downsizing for the latter. Now
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High time to end traffic ban muddle
BANNING almost all traffic from Oxford’s High Street during the day is certainly the right thing to do. But it is worrying that Oxfordshire County Council has been told by the Traffic Penalty Tribunal that it has botched the scheme and driver cannot
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Oxford's bus gate fines are ruled illegal
DRIVERS have been unlawfully fined for going through Oxford High Street’s ‘bus gate’, transport officials have ruled. Two years ago Oxfordshire County Council installed enforcement cameras to keep most vehicles out of the street during the
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Evictions halt new riverside 'tent city'
POLICE say they have moved to prevent a second “tent city” in Oxford by serving eviction papers against riverbank rough sleepers. Six people living in five tents on the banks of Bulstake Stream, behind the Osney Mead industrial estate, were handed notices
