THE official opening date for the long-awaited Marriotts Close redevelopment has been announced, with hundreds of jobs set for Witney.
Marriotts Close will bring a “huge boost” to the town, says West Oxfordshire District Council leader Barry Norton, when it opens on October 29.
And two of the biggest retailers — Marks & Spencer and Debenhams — have confirmed that they will create an extra 150 jobs.
Mr Norton said: “The development is progressing well, as is shown by the fact that Marks & Spencer shop-fitters are already working on fitting out the store, which in itself is a statement that it is looking forward to coming to Witney.
“Once the centre opens, with stores like Marks & Spencer and Debenhams, it will be a huge boost for local people who won’t have to shop so far away. It will boost the local economy, not just for those shops, but for other shopping outlets, so it’s a win-win situation.”
Marks & Spencer, whose shop-fitters moved on to the site this week, will provide a centrepiece of the £50m redevelopment, and has confirmed that it will employ approximately 100 staff.
In January, the retail giant announced it was closing 27 outlets and making 1,200 staff redundant in the light of falling sales.
A spokesman for Debenhams said that the opening of the shop would create about 50 jobs.
Pictures of the project, revealed by builder Simons Developments, show Starbucks coffee shop, Accessorize/ Monsoon, Cafe Rouge, Wallis and restaurant Frankie and Benny’s included in the development.
Other retail stores already announced are New Look and Dorothy Perkins.
Unleaded petrol passes £1 a litre price again in Oxford
MOTORISTS are feeling the pinch again as the average price of unleaded petrol hit the £1-a-litre mark for the first time in seven months.
Average prices of unleaded petrol and diesel at filling stations within a 10 mile radius of Oxford now stand at 100.1p and 103.6p respectively.
After peaking at 119.9p and 132.9p in July last year, prices had slumped to 87.8p and 99p by January.
But since then the price of unleaded petrol has shot up by 12 per cent, according the price comparison website PetrolPrices.com That means it’s costing around an extra £6 every time you fill up the tank on an average family car.
Mother-of-two Helen Gustafson, 48, of Poplar Grove, Kennington, said: “It’s hurting everybody.
“Every time we fill up it seems to cost us more and more.”
Oxford cabbie Jeffrey Measor, owner of Radio Taxis, said rising prices were a real worry as the recession continued to bite.
He said: “Trade has dropped off and the price of fuel is going up.
A gas leak has closed the A361 in West Oxfordshire this morning.
The road is closed both ways between the B4477 and Hambidge Lane.
Northbound traffic is being diverted from Lechlade through Southrop and southbound motorists are being directed through Langford.
Source: Witney Gazette
`Blue Cross's 'Wag Week'
BLUE Cross’s ‘Wag Week’ – a week of fundraising activities for the Burford animal charity – will run from Monday, May 25.
On Wednesday, May 27, staff will be dressing up as their favourite animals from the centre; on Thursday, May 28, they will be taking part in a sponsored physical activity, and on Friday, May 29, staff will be spending a night in the kennels to discover what life is truly like for a Burford canine resident
The charity invites visitors all week to come along and support the staff, or visit the sponsorship webpage justgiving.com/burfordadoptioncentre. On Sunday, May 31, there will be a sponsored dog walk that anyone can join. It’s an easy three-mile walk in the beautiful countryside, and starts at 11am at the Blue Cross adoption centre.
For more information or a sponsorship form, call 01993 822483, or email
Source: Witney Gazette
Go-ahead for 20mph limit in Oxford
Oxford will become the UK’s second 20mph city, it was decided this morning.
Oxfordshire County Council has approved a plan to introduce 20mph speed limits on almost all residential streets in the city.
The limits will apply to almost all residential minor roads within the city (excluding North Hinksey and Botley) and some sections of the main A roads and the B road network where there are busy shopping areas — particularly in the city centre.
Most major roads will remain at 30mph to keep the limits realistic as they are unlikely to reduce speeds significantly without extensive traffic calming measures.
The scheme will cost about £250,000.
County councillor Ian Hudspeth, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for transport, said: "If this cuts speed by even a 1mph average that will deliver a five per cent reduction in casualties — nationally-accepted speed statistics prove that. If this saves one life, it will have been worth it."
Source: Witney Gazette
Recession sees surge of unwanted pets
MORE pets are becoming victims of the credit crunch and being left at animal sanctuaries.
In the first three months of this year, 364 unwanted pets were given over to the Blue Cross’s two sanctuaries in Oxfordshire — a rise of almsot 30 per cent on the previous year.
Of those, only 17 owners said it was because they could no longer afford them. But Rowena Grew, deputy manager at the Burford site, believed the surge was down to the recession – although people were too embarrassed to admit it.
She said: “We’ve got a huge waiting list for all species, and the majority we are taking in are due to the credit crunch. We can’t keep up with demand.
“About six months ago we were hearing about the credit crunch and people not being able to feed their pets and we were slightly sceptical. But now you can see it’s affecting the average person and people are losing their jobs.
“It’s the general maintenance costs that are the problem. People often underestimate the cost of general veterinary care and food for animals.”
Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary has also seen an increase and is blaming the recession.
Between January 2008 and April 2009 the sanctuary in Stadhampton took in 653 animals — an increase of about 100 on the previous 15 months — and re-homed 625 of them.
Of those, 22 owners admitted not being able to afford their pets and 73 said they were moving to a home unsuitable for pets, which could include downsizing or rented accommodation.
The average cost of a home in Oxfordshire has fallen to its lowest level for almost two years.
Government Land Registry figures show the average property in Oxfordshire is valued at £218,947.
The figure is down two per cent, or £4,478, on the average cost of a property in the county in January.
It is also the lowest average property price for Oxfordshire since March 2006.
But last night estate agents insisted the picture was not all doom and gloom for homeowners.
They stressed the market was beginning to stabilise and insisted a 13.4 per cent fall in Oxfordshire property values in the past 12 months — equating to roughly £34,000 per property — was below the national average of a 16.5 per cent fall.
Mark Charter, of Summertown-based Carter Jonas, said: “Many buyers will benefit and it isn’t entirely doom and gloom for house vendors, as some areas and types of properties are still holding up well.
Long queues built up in Witney again today as roadworks continue in the town.
Drivers experienced long delays yesterday as traffic lights were set up in Bridge Street.
Source: Witney Gazette
Oxfordshire military homes 'need major repairs'
HUNDREDS of service families, including some in Oxfordshire, are being forced to live in homes in need of “major repairs” to roofs, walls and bathrooms, according to a new report.
Accommodation at RAF Brize Norton, in Carterton, has been named as some of the worst in the country by the National Audit Office.
The report said families are living in homes with major rising damp and electrical wiring at least 40 years old.
Last night, the Ministry of Defence responded by announcing that families would no longer be required to live in these homes – but not until 2012.
Brize Norton accommodates 3,700 military personnel in 3,500 single units on site and 1,177 family homes, most of which are outside the base.
The MoD said last year there was a programme for new buildings and refurbishments at Brize Norton, with more 650 new single rooms and 800 family homes being built by 2013.
Kevan Jones, the defence minister responsible for accommodation, said: “We remain committed to housing our personnel in high-quality accommodation.”
Source: Witney Gazette
Funding crisis stalls Witney college redevelopment
THE multi-million-pound redevelopment of Witney College has been put on hold because of a funding crisis, leaving people in the dark about its future.
The £30m campus renaissance was one of 79 Government projects shelved this week.
And that leaves the west Oxfordshire college with a massive headache — and a huge bill for temporary classroom accommodation.
Part of the redevelopment proposals included facilities for an extra 200 students as well as a new sixth form building.
About 450 full-time students, aged between 16 and 18, attend the college in Holloway Road.
In addition, 1,100 adult students use the facilities.
WEST Oxfordshire district councillors voted unanimously for a 4.9 per cent council tax increase – the same as last year.
The rise, set at yesterday’s annual budget setting meeting, was just below the Government’s five per cent maximum guideline before it caps councils.
From April, the average Band D taxpayer in West Oxfordshire will pay £78.57 for the district services.
As in other parts of Oxfordshire, tax bills are made up of county, district and town/parish levies, as well as Thames Valley Police Authority.
This year’s portion levied by West Oxfordshire District Council is £78.57, compared to £74.88 last year.
Towns and parishes have also set their 2009/10 precepts.
In Witney, taxpayers will be paying an average £92.60.
In Carterton the band D levy amounts to £61.41, while at Chipping Norton it is £52.51.
Source: Witney Gazette
Ivan: Respects paid in Commons
PARLIAMENT paid its respect to today following the death of Witney MP David Cameron’s disabled son Ivan.
The House of Commons was suspended briefly and Prime Minister's Questions cancelled as a mark of respect after the Conservative Party leader’s six-year-old son, who had cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, died in a west London hospital overnight.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown was joined at noon by shadow foreign secretary William Hague and Liberal Democrat deputy leader Vince Cable in delivering sombre messages of sympathy and condolence to Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha, in place of the usual exchanges.
Mr Brown, whose own baby daughter Jennifer Jane died aged just 10 days old in 2002, expressed his and his wife Sarah's sorrow at Ivan's death.
He said: "I know that the whole House will want to express our sorrow at the sad death this morning of Ivan Cameron at the age of just six years old.
"I know that in an all too brief life, he brought joy to all those around him and I know also that for all the days of his life, he was surrounded by his family's love.
"Every child is precious and irreplaceable and the death of a child is an unbearable sorrow that no parent should ever have to endure.
"Politics can sometimes divide us. But there is a common human bond that unites us in sympathy and compassion at times of trial and in support for each other at times of grief.
"Sarah and I have sent our condolences to David and Samantha and I know the whole country - our thoughts and our prayers - are with David, Samantha and their family today."
Mr Hague, who spoke to Mr Cameron before making his statement, said: "Ivan's six years of life were not easy ones.
"His parents lived with the knowledge for a long time that he could die young but this has made their loss no less heartbreaking."
"Ivan their son suffered much in his short life but he brought joy and love to those around him.
"As David himself has said in the past, for him and Samantha he will always be their beautiful boy."
Mr Hague said the Camerons were "hugely grateful" to the NHS care workers who "not only did their utmost for their son this morning but have helped every day since he was born.”
Mr Cable added: "I think everybody in the House has experienced bereavement, but there is something especially sad and shocking about the loss of a child.
"We recognise, I think all of us, that this is something that is especially difficult to cope with."
Speaker Michael Martin then told MPs: "This House will share with me its sadness at this news and our hearts and sympathies go out to David and Samantha and to Nancy and Arthur.
"As a mark of respect to Ivan this House will suspend until 12.30pm this day."
The suspension of PMQs and normal Commons business usually only follows the death of a party leader or former premier.
But shortly after learning of the Camerons' loss, Mr Brown offered to cancel today's question time session.
Mr and Mrs Cameron have two other children, Nancy, five, and Arthur, three.
Source: Witney Gazette
David Cameron's son dies
The son of Witney MP and Conservative Party leader David Cameron has died.
Ivan, six, was taken ill overnight and died in the early hours of today, a Conservative Party spokesman has confirmed.
The youngster suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy.
A spokesman said: “It is with great sadness that David and Samantha Cameron must confirm the death of their six-year old son Ivan.
"Ivan was taken ill overnight and died at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, early this morning.
"David and Samantha would ask that their privacy is respected at this terribly difficult time.”
Source: Witney Gazette
Go-ahead for Cogges Link Road
The controversial Cogges Road Link scheme, in Witney, was given the go ahead yesterday after Oxfordshire County Council voted unanimously to approve the project — despite 1,674 objections.
The scheme, which was first mooted nearly 20 years ago, will see a single carriageway constructed between Witan Way and Oxford Hill — Cogges and Witney.
A report carried out by County Hall’s head of sustainable development Chris Cousins, said that although the scheme crossed the historic flood plain, detailed studies have shown the flood plain would only be marginally affected by the scheme.
Source: Witney Gazette
Fire rips through pub
A blaze has ripped through a pub in Witney.
Around 20 firefighters have been tackling the blaze at The Plough Inn, High Street, Witney, since 10.25pm yesterday.
The fire raged through the first and second floors of the building.
A spokesman for the fire service said firefighters were still tacking the blaze this morning.
It is not believed anybody was injured during the fire.
Source: Witney Gazette
Waste collections restart
West Oxfordshire District Council is catching up on waste and recycling collections in the Chipping Norton area which were suspended earlier this week due to adverse weather.
A council spokesman said some collections had already taken place in the affected areas and further collections were due to be carried out today and tomorrow.
She said it was expected that all collections would be complete by the end of tomorrow (weather and road conditions permitting).
Residents are asked to leave their wheeled bins and recycling boxes on the kerbside.
She said collections in the rest of the district were as normal and the council was continuing to catch up on collections missed last week due to the weather. This is being done on normal collection days.
There are no green waste collections this week as resources are being used to catch up on last week's missed household collections.
Bulky waste collections are suspended for this week.
Source: Witney Gazette
Roads hit by flooding
A number of roads across Oxfordshire were hit by flooding today as snow thawed.
Rivers across the county have been placed on flood watch as levels continue to rise.
The thaw was also causing problems for drivers with flooding reported on the:
A4130 at Brightwell-cum-Sotwell
B4044 near Farmoor
B4017 at Drayton, near Abingdon
B480 at Chalgrove
Grove Road, Harwell
B4437 Dyer's Hill, Charlbury
B4445 Chinnor Road Thame.
B4015 at Chiselhampton
A329 near Thame
Kennington Road, Kennington
Roads around Woodeaton
Slow traffic was also reported on the A40 near Northleach last night due to flooding.
The catchment areas of the River Cherwell and the River Ray, in North Oxfordshire, were first to be put on flood watch - the lowest level of flood warning.
Later yesterday afternoon, the River Windrush, from Bourton to Newbridge, and the River Thame and Chalgrove Brook were also put on flood watch.
Last night the list grew with the addition of the:
River Thames from Buscot to King's Lock; Thames in the Oxford and Abingdon area
River Ock
Letcombe Brook
Ginge Brook
River Evenlode from Moreton-in-Marsh to Cassington
River Glyme
Clanfield Brook
Shill Brook.
Source: Witney Gazette
Snow due early tomorrow
Commuters will face difficult driving conditions in Oxfordshire tomorrow morning, with snow forecast from the early hours.
Barry Gromett, a spokesman for the Met Office, said: “After midnight, there is the potential for 5cm of snow to fall across Oxfordshire.
"There could still be quite a bit of snow falling at 6am through to 8am, and that will mean a challenging drive into work for many drivers.
“The snow will ease off quite quickly and then we will be looking at more straightforward cold weather conditions with one or two snow showers.
“On Tuesday night there will be cold winds and an overnight frost but not masses of snow.”
Source: Witney Gazette
Rivers on flood alert
Rivers in Oxfordshire were this afternoon placed on flood watch as levels continue to rise.
The catchment areas of the River Cherwell and the River Ray, in North Oxfordshire, were put on flood watch - the lowest level of flood warning.
Later this afternoon, the River Windrush, from Bourton to Newbridge, and the River Thame and Chalgrove Brook were also put on flood watch.
Source: Witney Gazette
More snow on its way
The heaviest snowfall of the winter and gale-force winds are forecast to hit Oxfordshire tomorrow.
More snow is set to fall over the county later today before up to 20cms arrives on Monday evening.
A Met Office spokesman said: “There’s a weather system moving eastwards from Wales and the West Country today.
“That’s going to bring a band of rain, sleet and snow across Oxfordshire later this afternoon through this evening.
“It looks as though generally the snow will fall on higher ground with about two to five cms predicted. On lower ground, especially in the south of the county, it could be more sleet than snow.
“That will clear overnight and temperatures will fall to minus one degrees Celsius.
“Tomorrow looks as though it will be dry and fairly bright to start the day, clouding over by about lunchtime.
“Then it looks as though there will be some more wintry mix of rain, sleet and snow. It will probably be mostly snow for Oxfordshire and that will be coming about dusk.
“It will also be pretty windy from the east and north east, with winds approaching, if not reaching, gale force.
“In some areas there could be up to 20cms and it will be quite a nasty combination with the winds, which could cause some drifting.”
Tuesday is set to be windy and cloudy before clearing overnight with temperatures falling to minus four.
Source: Witney Gazette
Snow situation in West Oxfordshire
West Oxfordshire’s commuters have been hit by this morning’s snow fall.
Stagecoach have suspended all their services from Chipping Norton and Charlbury to Witney and Oxford.
Drivers are also experiencing severe delays on the A40 in both directions west of Oxford, with compacted snow making the road dangerous.
An earlier collision in Bridge Street, northbound near the West End junction, is also causing traffic to build up in Witney town centre.
West Oxfordshire District Council has advised many of its staff to stay at home, and it has announced it is suspending waste collection until further notice.
Leisure services may also be affected, though a decision is due to be made later this morning.
Oxfordshire County Council's gritting team has reported the west of the county has been the worst affected by snow over night.
Witney Resources 