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- Oxford News By Hana Edition 58
Oxford News By Hana Edition 58
The last hurrah?
Mark Skipworth
June 04, 2026
Oxford News by HANA - Edition 58
Oxford Outlook: The last hurrah?
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… And the good news keeps on coming! Well, sort of. Work on a long-delayed £70m scheme to link a new Oxford area park and ride site with a major A-road is at last to begin later this month.
The 850-space facility near Eynsham was completed in 2024 but has stayed shut because it has no road access to connect it to the A40. It is now expected to open some time next year, according to a BBC report in this week’s newsletter.
As part of Oxfordshire County Council’s wider transport plans between Oxford and Witney, development of the site began in 2022 but the scheme was halted because of cost issues. It has remained an unused embarrassment ever since.
Eynsham Park and Ride will finally get its access road, we have now been assured. Treat this as the county council’s swansong, its last hurrah. For if all goes according to the government’s plan, the site will come into operation about the same time that the authority is abolished and eventually replaced.
Perhaps a plaque to acknowledge this late legacy of the council’s elders will be in order, sited at the entrance to the new park and ride? My personal preference (with apologies to Sir Christopher Wren): if you seek their monument, look around!
* Clarkson’s Farm is back – and very welcome it is, too. By common consent, Jeremy and his rustic crew of Cotswold characters have done more to educate the great British public about the trials and tribulations of modern agriculture than a lifetime subscription to Farmers Weekly. The TV series’s success has even turned farm manager Kaleb Cooper into an unlikely international superstar. Season 5 promises to stick to the programme’s theme of the crisis facing British agriculture, not least the daily stresses that are pushing some farmers to the brink. Thankfully, even this deadly serious subject is served up with a hefty dollop of humour and good grace, and, we hope, topped with Gerald Cooper’s priceless unintelligible Oxfordshire accent!
Mark Skipworth | Oxford Editor
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Databox
Oxford is unique. England’s oldest university. The Bodleian Library. The Bridge of Sighs (not so unique). Decent rowers. Rubbish football team. Inspector Morse. Oxford has it all.
And yet, statistically, it has much in common with other parts of England. Let’s run through the top 10:
10 York
Chilly and cultural. A city to boast architecture to rival Oxford’s. York Minster is stunning. The university is one of the best in the country.
9 Crawley
Sorry. Just fill up at a local service station and move on.
8 Wandsworth
Famed for its low council tax levels over the years but precious little else. The name “Wandsworth” conjures up images of fairy tales. In fact, it’s bang average boring.
7 Guildford
Classic home counties. Pretty but dull. Commuter belt. But it does have a medieval castle.
6 Cheltenham
Spy central (nobody from Cambridge is allowed near there). The home of GCHQ, where our spooks do their business in the national interest. Cheltenham also possesses a rather famous racecourse, favoured by people from Ireland.
5 Lambeth
An unexpected link with Oxford, but Lambeth has changed much since the 1980s, when it was basically out of control. Gentrification has created a south London borough that is now very much des-res. It has a rich history. Old Paradise Gardens bears a memorial stone for the watch house that held the drunk and disorderly from 1825 to 1930. More cakes and less ale, as W. Somerset Maugham almost wrote. He was the author of Liza of Lambeth.
4 Kingston upon Thames
Kingston was once a place where several Saxon kings were crowned. Historically, it was part of Surrey and only became a London borough in 1965. The best link between Oxford and Kingston is that river.
3 Bristol
Ah, Bristol. A true soulmate of Oxford. Both parts of England’s tech arc. Clever people living, working and creating in scintillating cities. Wonderful places achieving wonderful things.
2 Reading
Reading. Boring? No, it’s not, actually. It offers an excellent university and is well connected – not least to London and Bristol.
1 Greenwich
Home of Greenwich Meantime. And home, as well, to John Harrison – the man who solved the problem of longitude for British seafarers with his revolutionary timepieces. His clockwork cleverness saved thousands of sailors’ lives and helped his nation become the world’s naval superpower. Harrison’s spirit gleams around Greenwich. A man fitting to be mentioned in the same breath as Oxford.
Source: Office for National Statistics
Scroll down for property news and more things to do in and around Oxford…
Top Stories From Oxford This Week
Work to connect Eynsham park and ride to A-road gets start date
BBC News · May 28, 2026
Construction on a long-awaited £70 million project to connect an 850-space park and ride facility near Eynsham, Oxfordshire, with the A40 is set to start in mid-June after delays due to cost issues. The new infrastructure will include bus lanes, cycle lanes and pedestrian crossings, with the park and ride expected to open in 2027.
Clarkson’s Farm: Is farming killing farmers?
Jeremy Clarkson criticises the current government's policies for exacerbating daily stress and economic challenges, highlighting the rising costs of essentials like energy and food that burden households. He expresses discontent with the government's failure to alleviate these pressures, leaving many citizens feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.
Vigil held for Oxford teenager who died in River Thames
BBC News · May 29, 2026
A vigil at St Mary's Church in Iffley honoured 14-year-old Baltazar L'Quy who tragically drowned in the River Thames. Rev Clare Hayns emphasised community support for Baltazar's family and announced plans to enhance water safety education for local youth.
Rare muscle car erupts in flames at Oxfordshire petrol station
BBC News · June 3, 2026
A vintage 1979 Pontiac Firebird erupted in flames at a Tesco petrol station in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, but quick-thinking bystanders, including onlooker Alan Mutton, managed to extinguish the fire before it caused more damage. The incident highlighted the pride of the car's owner and the rarity of the Firebird in the UK, as these head-turning vehicles were never officially sold here.
Mixed picture for Oxfordshire's maternity services in new report BBC - June 4, 2026 A Care Quality Commission report has recognised improvements in maternity care at Oxford University Hospitals, noting Horton General Hospital's "good" rating, while highlighting ongoing safety concerns at John Radcliffe Hospital due to staff shortages and delays in care. Despite these issues, the report commended the compassionate care provided to patients. |
Oxford Union president said Hamas would be lauded as ‘heroes’
The president of the Oxford Union has sparked controversy by calling Hamas "heroes" and describing their actions as "proportional", prompting significant criticism for seemingly condoning violence amid ongoing humanitarian concerns. This incident has ignited a debate on the responsibilities of student leaders in representing diverse perspectives while navigating the complexities of Middle Eastern politics.
Left-wing US pair refused entry to UK will address Oxford Union remotely
The Guardian · June 3, 2026
Cenk Uygur and Hasan Piker, banned from entering the UK for reasons unspecified by the Home Office, will still address the Oxford Union via livestream, sparking debate on free speech as critics call the ban a troubling escalation of censorship. Advocates emphasise the importance of defending free speech for all, even controversial figures, underscoring the need for transparency from the government regarding such bans.
Personal cancer vaccines using AI get research funding in Oxford
BBC News · June 3, 2026
Researchers at the University of Oxford are revolutionising personalised cancer vaccines with AI, harnessing the power of supercomputers like Dawn to analyse tumour biology and expedite drug development. Led by Dr. Lennard Lee, this initiative brings together over 2,500 professionals to create tailored treatments that were once impossible to develop using traditional methods.
Oxfordshire leads regional trend on reducing road casualties, new data shows
BBC · June 2, 2026
Oxfordshire reported 18 road fatalities in 2025, reflecting an 18% decrease from the previous year, while the Thames Valley experienced a 20% rise in serious injuries. The county council's Vision Zero initiative aims for zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050, with over 275 communities adopting 20mph speed limits to enhance road safety.
Oxford’s 'bouncing bridge’ should have closed a long time ago
BBC News · June 3, 2026
A Freedom of Information request revealed that Cottesmore Bridge in Oxford, which connects Littlemore and Rose Hill, had known structural issues for years before its recent closure due to safety concerns, prompting criticism from local councillor David Henwood and MP Dame Anneliese Dodds over Oxfordshire County Council's inaction. Both politicians are calling for a public investigation into the delay in addressing the bridge’s dangerous state, especially given the risks to schoolchildren who used it daily.
BBC ‘Celebrity Traitors’ Oxford-born actor among favourites to win This is Oxfordshire - June 1, 2026 21-year-old Sebastian Croft, a BAFTA-nominated actor recognised for his roles in Game of Thrones and Horrible Histories, is among the contenders for the reality show The Celebrity Traitors, with 16/1 odds on his victory and a 5.90% probability of success. This season will see celebrities competing for charity, following in the footsteps of previous winner Alan Carr. |
Oxford University takes leading role in development of Ebola vaccines amid growing outbreak fears
BBC · June 1, 2026
Three new vaccines targeting the Bundibugyo species of Ebola are being developed by Oxford University, Moderna and the International Aids Vaccine Initiative in response to a serious outbreak in DR Congo that has claimed nearly 250 lives. With over 1,000 suspected cases reported, these innovative vaccines utilise different technologies to train the immune system against the virus, highlighting the urgency of addressing this public health crisis.
Cherwell council criticised over Baynards Green warehouses decision
BBC News · June 4, 2026
Cherwell District Council has opted not to contest its refusal of a planning application for three massive warehouses in Baynards Green, despite local opposition and concerns over undermining democracy. This decision may lead to significant costs for the council if developers Albion Land's appeal succeeds.
Infleqtion expands UK quantum operations with new Oxford innovation centre and manufacturing hub
Infleqtion (NYSE: INFQ) is set to launch a new Quantum Innovation Centre in the UK, enhancing its quantum operations and fostering collaboration in research and development. This initiative aims to advance quantum computing, communication and sensing, while creating job opportunities and strengthening partnerships within the quantum ecosystem.
Sport
Oxford Outlook: Leather on willow
Oxford Downs CC
Oxford Downs secured a superb 158-run victory against Harefield CC (Middlesex) last Saturday in the Home Counties Premier Cricket League. The win means Downs now sit third in the Division One table.
Banbury CC
Banbury had an up-and-down weekend. Last Saturday they thumped Great Brickhill by 10 wickets in a low scoring match, needing just 6.3 overs to reach a modest total of 60 runs to win.
Sunday was a different story. A six-wicket defeat to Shepherds Bush. But this wasn’t a Division One fixture so it didn’t affect the table. Banbury are fourth in the HCPCL.
Home Counties Premier Cricket League
Division One
1 High Wycombe CC (80 points)
2 Finchampstead CC (67 points)
3 Oxford Downs CC (67 points)
4 Banbury CC (66 points)
5 Harefield CC (65 points)
6 Henley CC (39 points)
7 Slough CC (35 points)
8 Great Brickhill CC (34 points)
9 Wokingham CC (29 points)
10 Aston Rowant CC (29 points)
So, Oxfordshire’s best two teams in the league are doing OK. Only a round of four matches have been played thus far. Plenty of picnics, Pimm’s and plumb LBWs to enjoy in the coming weeks.
The Sports Desk
Oxford United invites firms to join Business Club
Yahoo News · May 30, 2026
Oxford United is inviting local businesses to join their official Business Club for the 2026/27 season, offering benefits like pitchside advertising, hospitality packages, and exclusive team access to strengthen community ties and enhance brand exposure. With tailored sponsorship options available, this initiative aims to help businesses raise their profiles while supporting the club in Sky Bet League One.
Property news
Oxford University College buys Stonemason House for £6.7m Yahoo News - June 2, 2026 St Hilda’s College, Oxford, has made a significant investment by purchasing Stonemason House for £6.7 million to provide accommodation for 44 graduate students starting in October 2027, aiming to ease the local rental market pressure. This new property will enhance the college's existing housing options and support around 50% of its graduate population. |
125 new Backhouse homes across Wiltshire and Oxfordshire see approval Backhouse has secured planning permission for two residential developments in Wiltshire and West Oxfordshire, totalling 125 new homes with 40% affordable housing. Emphasising sustainability, both projects will feature eco-friendly amenities and contribute approximately £1.4 million to local infrastructure, with homes expected to be available for sale by spring 2027. |
Average UK house price fell by 0.6% month-on-month in May, says Nationwide Oxford Mail - June 1, 2026 In May, the UK housing market experienced its first decline since December 2025, with average house prices falling by 0.6% month-on-month amid rising energy costs and geopolitical uncertainties, according to Nationwide Building Society. Experts warn that while household debt is low and affordability has improved, the market remains vulnerable due to high mortgage repayments and rising borrowing costs, making it crucial for buyers to review their options. |
6-bedroom barn near Oxford with pool on sale for £3m Oxford Mail - May 31, 2026 Discover this stunning Scandinavian-inspired home in Toot Baldon, boasting over 5,000 sq ft of luxurious living space with seven bedrooms, multiple kitchens and expansive gardens featuring a heated swimming pool. This exceptional property also includes a self-contained one-bedroom cottage, a studio and a three-car garage, making it the perfect retreat for families and entertainers alike. |
What’s on in and around Oxford?
Blur drummer announces UK tour at two Oxfordshire venues Yahoo News - June 4, 2026 Blur's drummer, Dave Rowntree, will take fans on a nostalgic journey through the band's early days with his UK theatre tour "No One You Know", featuring intimate stories and unseen photographs. Catch him at the Kenton Theatre in Henley on June 11 and The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury on September 28, as he shares reflections from his photography book of the same name. |
BBC Gardeners’ World Live to showcase Oxfordshire gardens Herald Series - June 1, 2026 Join us at BBC Gardeners’ World Live from June 18 to 21 at the NEC Birmingham, where talented garden designers like Anthony Massie and Sarah Elsley will showcase their inspiring creations. This vibrant event promises a celebration of horticulture, featuring expert talks, workshops, stunning displays and opportunities for gardening enthusiasts to connect and learn. |
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