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- Oxford News By Hana Edition 66
Oxford News By Hana Edition 66
Run out of road
Mark Skipworth
July 30, 2026
Oxford News by HANA - Edition 66
Oxford Outlook: Run out of road
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Catastrophic. Hugely disruptive. Deep frustration and incredulity. Not my words, but the choice brickbat reactions of our local politicians after Network Rail announced last week yet another unthinkable delay to the reopening to traffic of Oxford’s ill-fated Botley Road.
But wait! Shamelessly, the government-owned company that operates and maintains our railway infrastructure has declared – foolhardy in my opinion given its pitiful track record (forgive the pun) – that this key route into the city centre will definitely reopen from Sunday, September 20 after being closed for more than three years to carry out the upgrade to Oxford Railway Station.
Most of us will no doubt react in much the same way – that is, we’ll believe it when we see it. The delay is just the latest in a litany of shambolic setbacks for the project, now set to cost an eye-watering £237m. Is the replacement rail bridge made of gold? (See the artist’s image below.)
Botley Road was supposed to reopen to traffic next month, having first closed in April 2023 when work commenced on the upgrade. It remains closed, just days before its promised reopening, after ‘potential’ gas leaks were uncovered requiring repair.
“We know the continued closure of Botley Road has had a significant impact on residents, businesses and everyone who relies on this route,” said a Network Rail spokesman. Too right.
Anyone relying on access to the city centre via this route, frankly, has been treated as a second-class citizen for far too long.
And sorry to be picky but when this latest delay was announced, on July 22, Network Rail said the new work would take “around four to six weeks” to complete. That means that Botley Road, in theory, could be ready to reopen by August 19 (four weeks) or at the latest, September 2 (six weeks).
Yet we’ve been told the reopening will be from September 20 – a wait of at least about a third as much again, and an illustration of Network Rail’s inability to do its sums (a problem from the beginning?).
Whatever. Network Rail – please, no more excuses. Mixing my metaphors: you’ve run out of road.
The Thames Valley, including Oxfordshire, is in a drought, the Environment Agency has officially declared. Indeed it is. The county’s dry landscapes emit a shimmering, eerie yellow, the heavy heat of each day combining with the breathless air to create an unsettling tinderbox feel within our market towns and villages. We must be on our guard against naked flames – smouldering barbecues, cigarette stubs etc. Even mowers and foil helium balloons have been known to ignite dry grass or crops. We live in ‘unnatural’ times. Let’s keep each other safe.
Mark Skipworth | Oxford Editor
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Databox
Last week we focused on GCSE pass rates which, with a fair wind, will lead to jobs. This week, we focus on those jobs.
Thanks again to the Office for National Statistics for employment rate data, which allows us to compare Oxford on the jobs front against the 20 most similar places to this fair city.
Employment rate (2023)
1 Reading: 86.1%
2 Wandsworth: 83.9%
3 Woking: 83.4%
4 Greenwich: 83.2%
5 Cheltenham: 82.9%
6 Guildford: 81.5%
7 Hounslow: 81.2%
8 Oxford: 80.8%
9 Kingston upon Thames: 80.1%
10 York: 79.4%
11 Crawley: 78.6%
12 Southwark: 76.5%
13 Cambridge: 76.3%
14 Bristol: 76.1%
15 Hammersmith & Fulham: 75.8%
16 Brighton & Hove: 75.7%
= 17 Lambeth: 74.7%. Leeds: 74.7%.
19 Cardiff: 74.6%
20 Newcastle upon Tyne: 74.3%
21 Lewisham: 74.0%
Oxford is doing OK – among the eighty percenters. But one feels there is room for improvement, given the city’s status as a genuine tech hub.
Scroll down for property news and more things to do in and around Oxford…
Top Stories From Oxford This Week
Botley Road gets reopening date after works beset by delays BBC News - July 29, 2026 Botley Road, a vital route into Oxford city centre, is now set to reopen on September 20 after delays caused by gas leaks during upgrades to the railway station that began in April, 2023. Despite an initial completion date of August and an overall project cost of £237.4 million, Network Rail apologised for the disruptions and emphasised the team's commitment to safely finishing the work. |
Calls for Oxford congestion charge replacement to be delayed BBC News - July 24, 2026 Local businesses in Oxford are urging the county council to delay the controversial traffic filter scheme, originally set for September, due to ongoing disruptions from gas leaks on Botley Road that threaten vital pre-Christmas trade. Bernadette Evans from the Oxford Business Action Group highlighted the significant challenges businesses have already faced and called for a reconsideration of the timing for implementing the traffic restrictions aimed at improving bus journey times and reducing congestion. |
Drought declared for Oxfordshire after hot dry summer Witney Gazette - July 29, 2026 Seven areas in England, including the Thames Valley and London, are experiencing severe drought conditions after a hot, dry summer, marking the third drought in five years. Water authorities emphasise the urgent need for conservation as usage surpasses natural replenishment rates amid escalating climate change impacts. |
Investigation launched into the cause of Goring Heath fire BBC News - July 28, 2026 A significant heath fire in Goring Heath near Reading has prompted a coordinated response from the Oxfordshire and Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services since it broke out on Monday. As crews continue to monitor the situation, Long Toll Road remains closed to support firefighting efforts and keep the area safe. |
Police facial recognition scans about 63,000 faces in Oxfordshire This is Oxfordshire - July 29, 2026 Thames Valley Police utilised Live Facial Recognition technology in Oxford and Bicester, capturing nearly 63,000 faces in just three hours, resulting in three arrests in Bicester but no alerts in Oxford. This cutting-edge approach aims to enhance public safety by identifying individuals on police watchlists through real-time CCTV analysis. |
Oxford University college purchases troubled derelict wharf site BBC - July 28, 2026 Worcester College, University of Oxford, has acquired the long-abandoned Jericho Wharf, with plans to engage local residents in developing a community-focused revitalisation that includes new amenities and services. The initiative aims to create a vibrant environment that enhances quality of life and fosters a stronger sense of community. |
First person gets new experimental vaccine for Bundibugyo species of Ebola BBC News - July 24, 2026 Ed Hunt, a 37-year-old from the UK, has become the first volunteer to receive an experimental Ebola vaccine developed by the University of Oxford, inspired by the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This innovative vaccine targets the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola and is part of a trial involving 50 healthy participants, with further studies planned in Uganda and DR Congo. |
Organic eggs have ‘worse impact on climate’ than eggs from caged chickens The Guardian - July 29, 2026 Oxford-led research suggests that transitioning the UK's egg production to organic free-range systems could double CO2 emissions compared to caged systems, primarily due to lower efficiency and higher resource demands. While intensive farming may seem more efficient in emissions per output, a broader evaluation of environmental impacts – ncluding biodiversity, soil health and animal welfare – is essential for establishing sustainable food practices. |
Mary Berry talks of her retirement home 'joy' after turning 91 Dame Mary, the beloved TV personality and former judge from 2010 to 2016, recently celebrated her 91st birthday, sharing her fashion philosophy of comfort and style while avoiding black and grey attire for seniors. She also expressed her delight in participating in the opening of a retirement village in Henley-on-Thames. |
‘No choice’ but to approve £1.8m-a-year disability care cuts in Oxfordshire BBC - July 29, 2026 Oxfordshire County Council has approved new charges for social care services, including a £10 daily fee for transport and a weekly charge of £9.87 for the telecare system, as part of measures to save £1.8 million amid significant government funding cuts. Critics argue these changes will disproportionately affect vulnerable individuals, urging the council to seek alternative savings and enhance support during the current cost-of-living crisis. |
Jeremy Clarkson forced to leave fallow 200 acres at Diddly Squat Farm Oxford Mail - July 29, 2026 TV star Jeremy Clarkson, known for his Prime Video series ‘Clarkson's Farm’, has revealed he's leaving 200 acres of his Oxfordshire farm fallow this year due to the financial challenges of traditional farming. He warns that many farmers may need to pivot to non-food crops or alternative uses such as solar farms to stay afloat amid rising costs and potential carbon taxes. |
Oxfordshire dad climbs mountain after being told he'd never walk BBC News - July 29, 2026 Sam Baldwin from Carterton, Oxfordshire, defied the odds by summiting Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) just 16 months after a devastating motorbike accident left him paralysed from the waist down. Dedicating his climb to those unable to walk and raising funds for Spinal Research, Baldwin completed the challenging nine-hour trek, celebrating his remarkable journey of resilience and determination. |
Sport
Oxford Outlook: Leather on willow
The Home Counties Premier Cricket League is stuck in its mid-season “timed overs” phase. Teams play 120 over matches on the clock in the middle nine contests before reverting to the more easily understood 50/50 over format for the final four games.
Quite why this system is in place befuddles The Sports Desk and, one suspects, most fans. For one thing, timed overs have a habit of delivering the dreaded draw.
Draws dented the aspirations of both of Oxfordshire’s best two teams last Saturday.
Oxfordshire Downs CC
The Downs battled out a frustrating stalemate with Aston Rowant CC. The outcome meant The Downs were knocked off the top of the table.
Result: Oxfordshire Downs CC 195/9 (57 overs); Aston Rowant CC 215/all out (62.5 overs). Match drawn.
Banbury CC
Banbury played out a draw with Oxfordshire rivals Henley CC. The result means Banbury remain stuck in fourth position.
Result: Banbury CC 222/all out (61.4 overs); Henley CC 191/8 (58 overs). Match drawn.
Division One: top of the table
1 Finchampstead CC (225 points)
2 High Wycombe CC (219 points)
3 Oxford Downs CC (214 points)
4 Banbury CC (201 points)
5 Aston Rowant CC (172 points)
Teams with more than 200 points at this stage of the competition have a fair shout at being crowned champions. But the boys from Berkshire – Finchampstead – look favourites.
The timed overs format is, frankly, rubbish. Cricket is a complicated sport at the best of times. Timed overs make it almost unintelligible.
The Sports Desk
Aaron Ramsey 'realistic' after Oxford United’s flawless pre-season This is Oxfordshire - July 29, 2026 Oxford United maintained their flawless pre-season with a 3-1 victory over Crawley Town, highlighted by strong performances from Gatlin O'Donkor and Tyler Goodrham. Head coach Aaron Ramsey praised the team's adaptability and unity amid challenges, expressing optimism about their progress as they prepare for the upcoming season in EFL League One. |
Property news
Football legend sells £4m Cotswolds home so wife can go to university Witney Gazette - July 29, 2026 Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams has sold his luxurious eight-bedroomed home near Cirencester to Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher for around £4 million, as he and his wife Poppy relocate to London for her master's degree in early modern history. The couple is currently in temporary accommodation while searching for a new home in London, presumably steering well clear of Chelsea. |
Cheap hack to revive your dry lawn through the summer Oxford Mail - July 29, 2026 Revive your dry, patchy lawn this summer with a simple hack: mix 140 millilitres of washing up liquid with water to help it penetrate deeper into the soil, maximising efficiency during hosepipe bans. This easy solution can be applied using a watering can, making it perfect for maintaining your garden even in tough conditions! |
What’s on in and around Oxford?
The Sydney Philharmonia Choirs head straight from BBC Proms to Oxford Town Hall with Faire is the Heaven at Oxford Festival of the Arts Ox In A Box - July 28, 2026 Join the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, led by Brett Weymark, for a captivating concert titled ‘Faire is the Heaven’ at the Oxford Festival of the Arts today (Thursday), featuring inspiring hymns and anthems alongside works by contemporary Australian composers. |
Bus routes for a family day out in Oxfordshire BBC News - July 27, 2026 This summer, families can enjoy budget-friendly day trips with free bus travel for kids aged 5 to 15 in England and a reduced fare cap of £2 starting in January. Explore the scenic bus route 33 in Oxfordshire, which takes you through picturesque villages and historic sites like Wallingford and Nuffield Place. |
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