Clarion Weekly, 14 March 2025

Welcome to all our new subscribers! Each week we round up the best of the city's news, politics and events, gift wrap it with the occasional snark and email it to you for your Friday lunchtime reading pleasure. This week, however, was a bit special…

This week’s top stories

Every day of this week, we’ve taken a look at what’s stopping houses in Oxfordshire being built, in what we’ve called Infrastructure Week:

• On Monday, we introduced the series by looking at housing developments around the city that are struggling with infrastructure issues.
• On Tuesday we wrote about sewage. (Don't read it while you're eating.)
• On Wednesday we tackled the giant controversy of Botley West Solar Farm and the battle for clean energy.
• On Thursday we took a deep dive (!) into Oxfordshire's water shortage and looked at the proposed mega reservoir near Abingdon.
• And on Friday, guest author Didcot & Wantage MP Olly Glover looked at the future of Oxfordshire transport.

Sunday was the anniversary of the demolition of the Cutteslowe Walls in 1959. We wrote about this in a long read last year. Segregating private homes from council housing, they were a visible sign of Oxford’s social tensions. We took a look at their history and asked – have we moved on? (We were signposted by a reader to this eponymous and brutal song by indie/folk star Thea Gilmore, who was born in Oxford.)

The High Court has dismissed a legal challenge to the new Oxpens River Bridge from the Friends of Grandpont Nature Park. The pedestrian and cycle bridge, linking forthcoming developments at Oxpens and Osney Mead, is now clear to go ahead.

Judge Kolinsky rejected all five arguments brought by the Friends of Grandpont. They had claimed that the application contained factual mistakes and was erroneously described as a standalone project, and that officers incorrectly advised councillors & ignored the potential of the former rail bridge. Judge Kolinsky said the location was founded in the approved development plans (“the bridge has to land somewhere”), and that the railway bridge alternative was not “the application before them” when councillors were considering the application for the new bridge.

Oxford City Council leader Cllr Susan Brown said “While it is important that people have the right to challenge decisions, the Government has been clear judicial reviews should not be used to block much-needed infrastructure. We can now focus Council time and public money to progress delivery.”

Judge Kolinsky did, however, single out the Grandpont group’s lawyer Peter Cruickshank in his summing-up, saying: “Mr Cruickshank acted pro bono. He put considerable work into his skilful presentation of the Claimant's arguments orally and in writing.” We wrote about the original battle to build the bridge in a long read last year.

Giant new bookshop! Oxford’s branch of Waterstones is moving to the former Topshop unit on Queen Street this summer, from its current location at the corner of Broad Street and Cornmarket.

The bookshop chain told the Clarion the new shop would be “the biggest new Waterstones to open for some years […] Occupying the former Topshop space near Marks & Spencer, Waterstones will be situated across the basement and ground floor of the building. The generous, bright and easy to navigate shop will allow for increased space and a larger range of books and gifts for customers to browse. The shop will also have a café, perfect for a break whilst choosing the next perfect read.”

The current location was a furniture store until 1987, when it became a branch of Dillons bookshop – subsequently acquired by Waterstones. The relocation will also move Waterstones further away from Blackwells on Broad Street, which it acquired in 2022, though closer to the small branch of Blackwells in the Westgate Centre. The Queen Street building has been vacant since Topshop’s closure in 2021.

Around the city

• Campaigners for a playground in Oxford city centre are asking supporters to respond to a County Council consultation on redesigning city streets. OxPlay’s Josie Procter said “We need councils to be visionary if we are to be a truly family friendly city. We need OCC to hear our voices loud & clear.” The consultation asks for feedback on the “goals and methods” of reimagining city centre streets. OxPlay says that although OCC proposes “public squares, widened pavements and seating, critically, playgrounds only get a passing mention”. Closing date is 23 March.
• Acclaimed Cowley Road tapas bar, Arbequina, is to open a second outlet in Oxford's Covered Market. The owners, who announced this on their Instagram account, say they will focus on “quality food & drinks, creating fun experiences and a buzzing atmosphere”. It will occupy the former Blue Blood sport shop. A crowdfunder will launch shortly. The local business also runs Elle's Deli/Oli's Thai on Magdalen Road. Guardian restaurant reviewer, Marina O'Loughlin, said: “Arbequina’s tortilla is perfect… such pleasure sees you ordering a second bottle, hunkering down, and signing up for the chocolate salami.”
• Ozone Leisure Park (and stadium) landowner Firoka is asking for community input on future leisure facilities at the Littlemore site. Part of it will become office and lab space, and an updated cinema, social or health uses may feature. The site has been a leisure destination since 2003, but the owners say they have reduced rents to keep tenants and it is no longer viable in its current form. There is a local campaign against closure of the cinema. The owner’s plan is to repurpose part to lucrative offices and labs, redevelop smaller leisure facilities, and restore the historic Priory pub. Transport plans include the planned Cowley Branch Line station nearby, and more buses. Residents can input at a drop-in event on Thursday 20 March 2-8pm at Ozone. Community engagement is run by Transition by Design. Community events, ‘co-design’ workshops and engagement with local youth groups are planned.
• Oxford United have signed Radisson as their hotel partner for the new Triangle stadium site. Radisson are planning a 180-room hotel with more than half the rooms overlooking the pitch. They say the accommodation will have “fresh Scandinavian design, providing a calming environment”. OUFC commercial officer Adam Benson said: “The fact we can attract a partner of the calibre of Radisson Hotel Group is a real endorsement of the world-class complex we are looking to build. The hotel will support the Club’s ability to operate an economically sustainable long-term home.” Cherwell District Council is currently considering OUFC’s planning application and has recently requested more information from the club; no decision is expected before June.

• Elm trees are returning to the centre of Oxford. The University Parks have planted a dozen trees along South Parks Road, opposite the new Life & Mind building, including five disease-resistant elms. The Grade II listed pub on Cowley Road now called the Big Society was originally named the Elm Tree after the last elm standing when its predecessor was built in 1866.
• The annual OxClean Spring Clean started last weekend and continues this weekend. LibDem councillors Roz Smith and Katherine Miles were out with residents clearing litter; Cllr Smith was out in both Highfield and Quarry, while Cllr Miles was out around the Cowley Road. Cllr Smith said: “It's a huge shame that so much litter finds its way onto our streets. I was grateful to the residents of both Highfield & Quarry who turned out. This is a huge resident led effort and I'd like to thank the organisers. There's another, next weekend!” Cllr Miles said: “After spending the morning talking to Summertown residents I was pleased to join the effort to clean up our streets. ODS do a great job but once a year we need to give them a helping hand. There are more Spring Cleans next weekend and I would encourage anyone who can to take part.” Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds also joined the cleanup and encouraged residents to participate in the second round this coming weekend, saying “Well done to everyone supporting the #OxClean Spring Clean, this weekend and next!” (We respect a good photo opportunity. Councillors of all parties are invited to keep sending them in.)
• Adverts have been removed from the Plain roundabout following the successful campaign to persuade Oxford City Council not to renew consent. Objectors had said the adverts were distracting at an accident blackspot.

Around the county

• Oxfordshire’s first two “mobility hubs” will be in Carterton town centre and at Benson Marina. The County Council envisages them as locations where “several transport modes and community facilities are located together for seamless interchange”. An £80,000 contract has been awarded to consultancy Aecom for design work at these two sites.
• Didcot residents who are spring cleaning have a new online community for giving (or requesting) stuff for free. A local branch of Freegle has been set up for Didcot & Wallingford. Oxford has active branches of both Freegle and Freecycle (the original site).
• Over one million square metres of roads, across 73 towns & villages, will be treated this spring in a £7.4m pothole prevention programme, say Oxfordshire County Council. The council is advising motorists to adhere to temporary 20mph limits to avoid vehicle damage such as chipped paintwork and windscreens after completion of the work, until the road surface settles. Cllr Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Prevention is better than cure. This work will help keep many miles of highways in a better condition for years to come.”
• Cotswold gastro empire Daylesford Organic has lodged further plans for its next site, the former Quiet Woman antiques centre outside Chipping Norton. They are seeking a “a ‘pitlane’ style experience but with a rural aesthetic” for a new restaurant and car showcase, saying: “The storage of classic or interesting cars will be a ‘USP’ of customers visiting the restaurant of the site, all within the motorsport/classic car derived theme of the ‘Pitlane’.” The company, owned by Lady Carole Bamford of the JCB dynasty, also owns the Wild Rabbit in Kingham, the Bell in Charlbury, and is developing the former Mill House Hotel at Kingham, but has put the Three Horseshoes in Asthall up for sale just a year after reopening.
• With county council elections fast approaching, several councillors have announced they are stepping down. Conservative councillor Donna Ford (Bicester North) wrote on Facebook that “Over the last four years I have experienced bullying, lies and abuse from certain residents and elected members of other political parties… I must now put my family first.” Independent councillor Sally Povolotsky (Hendreds & Harwell) replied to her: “You’ve been an amazing elected member and it’s not easy in that chamber, like you, I’m not seeking reelection and so many others aren’t. There’s no place sadly in politics for people with big hearts that care.” Separately, Liberal Democrats Freddie van Mierlo (now an MP) and Alexandrine Kantor are stepping down from South Oxfordshire District Council, with the by-elections to be held together with county elections on 1 May.

Council reorganisation

(We’ve broken this out into its own occasional section because our journalistic instincts tell us that leading with 500 words on unitary councils is perhaps not the most reader-friendly choice for a Friday lunchtime.)

The future shape of Oxfordshire is little clearer as the county, city and district councils have agreed to disagree on reorganisation.

The County, City and four districts have drawn up three competing plans, saying “we are working together as far as we can”, in response to the Government’s request that they “jointly submit one proposal for unitary local government”. The deadline for outline proposals is next Friday, 21 March.

• A single council covering the whole county is favoured by Oxfordshire County Council. OCC leader Liz Leffman says this would save £27m each year and remove “artificial internal barriers”, whereas “alternative proposals to divide the county would aggravate rather than solve issues”.
• A two-council alternative would see a ‘Ridgeway Council’ combining South Oxon, Vale of White Horse, and West Berks; and another council grouping West Oxon, Oxford City, and Cherwell. This is favoured by South and Vale councils, with some backing from Cherwell and West Oxon. They say the northern council would align with the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, while the Ridgeway could focus on the high-tech cluster of ‘Science Vale’.
• A three-council plan is advocated by Oxford City Council, comprising an enlarged ‘Greater Oxford’ (population 320,000-495,000, compared to today’s 165,000); a Ridgeway Council; and a Cherwell/West Oxfordshire combination. They say “connections between the city and nearby places like Kidlington and Abingdon have increased”.

A joint letter has been drawn up from council leaders, accompanied by documents for all three plans. Each council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve it before it is sent to Government on 21 March.

The Government’s reaction to being offered three proposals when they expressly asked for “one joint proposal” remains to be seen. A single Oxfordshire council remains the odds-on favourite, combining Oxford’s strong economy with the satellite towns that depend on it; for the first time, all the county’s housing and transport would be planned under one roof. It might be less disruptive than other options, with no need to divvy up education and social care between successor councils. But the more nimble City and districts will have concerns that it would simply be the continuity County Council, rarely known for moving quickly.

The strong growth message of a ‘Greater Oxford’ will certainly appeal to Government, especially given the recent announcement of an Oxford Growth Commission, and a Labour City Council’s ability to lobby the Labour Government shouldn’t be underestimated. But the likely inclusion of Abingdon would be fiercely opposed in the south of the county, and the three-council split would struggle to reach the Government’s 500,000 target for some years.

In comparison, a two-council north/south split is easier on paper. The messaging of one council focused on the Oxford/Cambridge Arc, and another on Science Vale, could be tailor-made to appeal to Government. They might also see it as an attempt by the southern half to insulate itself against Oxford’s housing overspill, and the northern combination is ungainly both geographically (as the map above shows) and politically. Still, Ridgeway Council is a neat name, and perhaps it’s time to reclaim ‘Isis’ for the other half?

Separately, discussions continue between Oxfordshire and Berkshire on a high-level mayoral authority that would group the two. Buckinghamshire was originally invited but has largely chosen not to engage with the discussions; Swindon remains in touch but its inclusion is opposed by the districts.

University and research

• A former Oxford goalkeeper will become Prime Minister of Canada later this month. Mark Carney, who studied at St Peter’s and Nuffield colleges, led the University’s ice hockey team to victories over Cambridge in 1993 and 1994.
• Jacinda Ardern, former prime minister of New Zealand, and broadcaster Melvyn Bragg are set to receive Honorary Degrees from the University of Oxford. Ardern would receive the Degree of Civil Law and Bragg the Degree of Doctor of Letters. Congregation is set to vote on them on 25 March. Also proposed are BBC news presenter Clive Myrie; Ukrainian historian Serhii Plokhii; American historian of Eastern Europe, Timothy Snyder; author Colm Toíbín; biotech engineer Robert Langer; and German biophysicist Erwin Neher. If approved, the degrees will be conferred on 25 June.
• Songbirds and schoolchildren are both changing how they communicate, according to new research from the University of Oxford. In Wytham Woods, great tits develop their repertoire of songs as they mix with newcomers, but as they grow old, they stick to what they know. Meanwhile, primary school children are adopting vocabulary from social media, based on entries to a BBC short story competition analysed by Oxford University Press. Capybaras, anyone?
• An Oxford English lecturer has used multispectral imaging to recover lost lines of Tennyson's poetry. Dr Michael J Sullivan leads a project to photograph manuscripts at wavelengths from infrared to ultraviolet, allowing researchers to read damaged or crossed out text. Last month, the Bodleian Libraries “virtually unrolled” a papyrus scroll from Herculaneum which had been turned to charcoal when Vesuvius erupted 2,000 years ago. The scroll was scanned at the Diamond Light Source in Harwell and individual letters identified with machine learning.

Walking and cycling

• Cycle wheeling ramps are finally to be installed on Osney Lane footbridge, crossing the railway south of Oxford station and Botley Road. Network Rail will be closing the bridge on Friday between 7.30am and 5pm to install the new wheeling channels, providing an alternative to the Botley Road passage.
• Police are appealing for witnesses to a hit-and-run last Thursday (March 6) when the driver of a black Audi or BMW hit a 13-year old cyclist in Wantage. Thames Valley Police say “the boy was riding on his cycle on Harcourt Road when a vehicle collided into the back of him, causing him to fall from the bike”. PC Naomi Padgett continued: “Thankfully, the boy was not seriously injured in this incident, but I am keen to identify the driver of the vehicle, who did not stop after the collision.” She appealed for the driver and any witnesses to get in touch.
• The trial of allowing cycling on Bicester’s pedestrianised Sheep Street will begin on 25 March for a period of up to 18 months. Oxfordshire County Council sought an exception for Friday’s market, but this has not yet been approved by the Department for Transport. Cllr Andrew Gant said “We will stop the trial if there are pedestrian safety concerns that cannot be addressed. However, evidence from locations with similar arrangements show that pedestrians are not subject to increased danger.” We looked at the issue last year.

Trains and buses

• A new 26-strong fleet of trains for GWR could provide capacity for service improvements in Oxfordshire. The Class 175 trains, formerly used in Wales, are to be deployed in Devon and Cornwall, freeing up GWR’s intercity fleet for longer trains and potentially new services elsewhere. We reported in February that Oxfordshire County Council is calling for an hourly service from Oxford to Bristol, which would require just four intercity trains to run.
• National Express are cutting their coach service between Oxford and Birmingham. From 17 April, the 210 route will no longer call at Oxford, reducing daily coach journeys to Birmingham from nine to just four. The train service from Oxford to Birmingham will still remain broadly hourly even after the May timetable change, with Covid-era service reductions still in force. Before 2019 the services were half-hourly. Train operator CrossCountry is reinstating just one additional journey in May.
• Oxfordshire has its first railcam. Three live cameras have been set up outside Banbury station, providing a 24-hour feed of passing trains. One camera can be viewed free on YouTube with the others available to Railcam subscribers.

Oxfordshire politics

In this section we share the edited highlights of what we've spotted our MPs up to in their constituencies across the county. The two usual caveats: it's not a complete picture as casework rarely makes headlines, and we generally don't report front bench/APPG activities.

• Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds celebrated the passing of the Employment Rights Bill and the Crime and Policing Bill. In the constituency, she visited St Josephs primary school to talk about breakfast clubs, Court Place Farm for International Women's Day, and Warneford Park for an event on mental health.
• Banbury MP Sean Woodcock welcomed new data showing the punctuality and reliability of trains across the country, to be displayed on screens or via a QR code in stations. He said: “This is a very welcome development. Railway passengers in the Banbury constituency deserve to know what is happening on their journeys, and forcing operators to make information public will mean they can’t hide any more. We’ve had decades of poor service on our railways, but bit by bit Labour is turning things around.” He also welcomed plans for the 80th anniversary celebrations of VE Day and VJ Day this year, remembering Clement Attlee’s words in 1943: “although our political divisions were deep, in time of need we were able to transcend them in the interests of the whole community”.
• Henley & Thame MP Freddie van Mierlo was rambling… with the Henley and Goring ramblers. Elsewhere in his constituency he visited a local bakery, where he discussed the impact of the employer National insurance contribution on small businesses. He wrote to (wait for it) Thames Water to demand action on sewage issues in Berrick, including raw sewage in the streets: he told the Clarion “The residents of Berrick Salome have been enduring this serious issue for far too long. Thames Water must stop offering temporary fixes and provide a long-term solution to protect the environment and the health of the local community.” In Parliament he spoke up for bathing water status in Henley. Most significantly he resigned his seat on South Oxfordshire District Council in order to focus time on being an MP.
• Didcot & Wantage MP Olly Glover debated a petition in Parliament on suspension of migration where he highlighted the importance of the global labour market, particularly to businesses in his constituency with a need for a highly skilled workforce, such as Tokamak Energy and Astroscale. On behalf of the Transport Select Committee, he asked for residents’ views on local bus services. And of course, he wrote an article for us, on the future of transport in Oxfordshire – huge thanks to him for his work on this.
• Bicester & Woodstock MP Calum Miller asked the Government to extend the same employment rights to kinship carers as foster carers. (If you look carefully you can spot Freddie van Mierlo and Layla Moran in the background.) He pressed the Government to release the frozen £2.5bn from the sale of Chelsea FC to help Ukraine. In the constituency he supported Eynsham Youth FC's quiz night.
• Witney MP Charlie Maynard was back in court, appealing against the approval of Thames Water’s debt plan. He appeared on Sky News talking about Thames Water's “debt mountain”, and told LBC News his constituents’ water bills were increasing as a result. At a constituency surgery he met Charlie the Monkey, and his ventriloquist partner Tony, who is a teacher (pictured above). There is probably a joke in there somewhere.
• Oxford West & Abingdon MP Layla Moran took part in the Carer's Trust action day and demanded the Government reform social care. She was highlighted by parliamentary magazine The House in this year's edition on Women in Westminster: “Few parliamentarians enjoy the level of cross party support that Moran does. As an MP she has consistently acted with consistency, authenticity and openness in the Commons, gaining admirers from all sides.” In the Employment Rights Bill she tabled a cross-party amendment with Louise Haigh, calling for a ban on non-disclosure agreements for all workers in cases of harassment. Speaking in Parliament, she said “Every day that these NDAs endure, which are often in perpetuity, victims’ hurt and trauma continues.” Finally she was number 23 on the Independent's list of the 50 most influential women, with a super fierce photo that we’d love to include (but we can’t afford the image rights, so you’ll have to visit that link): the newspaper highlighted her work on NDAs, and also her work on calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza. Gisele Pelicot took the top spot, with the Queen in at no. 28.

This weekend

• Handel: Solomon. Saturday 15th March 7.30pm , SJE Arts, Iffley Road Friend of the Clarion Will Dawes conducts an all star ensemble: Somerville College Choir, Imperial College Chamber Choir, Oxford Baroque Players, and countertenor Francis Gush. Will says:

The work tells the biblical story of King Solomon's life, including the Dedication of Solomon’s temple, the Judgement of the two Harlots, and the famous Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. Exploring themes of art, justice, and governance, Solomon raises questions about what it means to be a good leader, as well as the ideals of the society.  The Oratorio is rarely performed as it requires a large chorus, a lavish orchestra, along with 8 soloists. Luckily, all of this will be provided, with the highly acclaimed Handelian and Oxford graduate Francis Gush in the title role. If you like Messiah then this will certainly be an enjoyable evening! Tickets are available for purchase here.

• Elgar's The Apostles at the Sheldonian, Sunday 16 March at 5pm. It seems this is a weekend for epic choral works. The Oxford Bach Choir is performing Edward Elgar’s magisterial oratorio “The Apostles” with the Philharmonia Orchestra. “The Apostles” requires such a large assemblage of musicians that it is not performed often — so this is a rare opportunity.
• Iraqi Women Art and War is running a pop-up cafe for the next two weekends on Saturday nights. It looks delectable. Floyds Row, by the police station. (Booking essential.)
• ATOM, Abingdon’s Festival of Science & Technology, begins on Saturday. A week of lectures, kids’ events and science fairs, celebrating its 10th anniversary.
• Oxford Human Rights Festival starts today with the theme “The Power of the People”: craftivist events, an ‘Uncomfortable Oxford Walking Tour’, discussions and conversations.

Dates for your diary

• The Rex Nettleford Lecture on Colonialism and its Legacies, Oriel College, 22nd May 5.30pm. Award-winning author, broadcaster and a professor of sociology at the University of Manchester, Gary Younge will be speaking on “The man who photobombed De Gaulle”.
• Unearthed, Friday 28 March 19.00. The City of Oxford Choir will be performing in the University Museum to celebrate 200 years since the discovery of Megalosaurus fossils near Blenheim Palace.
• Learn to kayak on the Oxford Canal with Banbury Canoe Club, Cropredy (OX17 1PG). 14-17 April 10-12 pm (Easter Holidays) or Saturdays in April. Ideal for juniors aged 8-18, but families and ages 8-80 welcome.
• Lord of the Rings marathon. Saturday 19 April, The Ultimate Picture Palace, Jeune Street, Oxford is showing all three Lord of the Rings films in a single day, starting at 10 in the morning and finishing at midnight. The bar will be open.

All these listings, as ever, have been submitted by readers. We love the variety.

Oxfordshire’s independent media

• The Oxford Sausage visits Oxford’s Real Tennis Court on Merton Street.
• Ox in a Box gives a rave review to Alberto's in Chipping Norton
• Muddy Stilettos shares the best daffodil walks and so do Little Oxplorers, and they're broadly the same so the recommendations must be good.
• Daily Info rounds up the best music festivals for 2025.
• The Oxford Student asks how Oxford celebrates Ramadan.
• The Oxford Blue looks at the word ‘varsity’…
• …and while we’re being grammarians, we are grumbling at Cherwell for the Americanised “protest” without “against” in this headline about Suella Braverman. Next thing you know, they’ll be calling it a “vacation”. Oh, wait.

Notes from Clarion HQ

After five long reads, a newsletter and our daily tweeting/bleating, we’re going for a lie-down. Thank you, as always, for all the feedback we receive. If you liked it, do share it!