Clarion Weekly, 31 January 2025

This week’s top stories

The Oxford–Cambridge Arc is back – but this time it’s a ‘growth corridor’.

Oxford is to get a Government-led Growth Commission to “review how best to tackle the barriers that are constraining development of new housing and infrastructure”. Bringing together councils, universities and local partners, it is modelled on the new “infrastructure-first” Cambridge Growth Company.

The announcement was made in a speech delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves on Wednesday at Siemens Healthineers in Eynsham. She described the Oxford–Cambridge corridor as having “the potential to be Europe’s Silicon Valley… the home of British innovation”:

“To grow, these world-class companies need world-class talent who should be able to get to work quickly and find somewhere to live in the local area. But to get from Oxford to Cambridge by train takes two and a half hours.

“There is a lack of affordable housing across the region. Oxford and Cambridge are two of the least affordable cities in the UK. In other words, the demand is there but there are far too many supply side constraints on economic growth in the region.”

Patrick Vallance, formerly Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, has been appointed as the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion. The Chancellor also confirmed support for nine new reservoirs (including Thames Water’s proposal near Abingdon) and a third runway at Heathrow – though all these projects will still have to go through a national planning process.

Banbury MP Sean Woodcock called the speech “fantastic news”, saying “Lots of brilliant businesses have already moved to the area because of our proximity to the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Arc.” Oxfordshire County Council also welcomed the announcement, with leader Liz Leffman saying:

“We particularly welcome the investment in East-West Rail, which is so important for connectivity across the Oxford to Cambridge corridor. As is well known our ambition at the county council is to see greater investment in our rail infrastructure locally and regionally to boost connectivity and productivity. But we also need urgent action to fix our crumbling water and sewage system, and improve the electricity grid, if the region is to flourish.

“One aspect of the announcement which will cause concern locally is the mention of a new reservoir near Steventon. We know that this is opposed by the majority of local people and has been questioned and scrutinised at many levels over a long period of time.”

Residents in South Oxfordshire will also be concerned that plans for an Oxford–Cambridge expressway, cancelled in 2021, could be resurrected. Last year, Oxford Roads Action Alliance said that an “expressway by stealth” was being created.

(Short Clarion footnote: the venue for Reeves’ speech about growth in the Oxford–Cambridge Arc was built on the trackbed of the closed Witney railway, and beside the B4044, where traffic flow is restricted by a 18th century toll bridge and where a cycleway for the 3.5 miles to Oxford has still not been built despite a 13-year campaign. Meanwhile, one mile up the road at Salt Cross, delivery of 2,200 houses has stalled until the Government provides clarity on building to net zero standards.)

Oxford’s traffic filter trial will go ahead as planned when Botley Road reopens in August 2026, Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed. In a letter to stakeholders, OCC said “The permit system will be launched well in advance of the trial, and a public consultation will start as the trial begins.”

The Labour group on the County Council recently withdrew its support for the scheme. Campaign group Coalition for Healthy Streets & Active Travel is strongly in favour, saying: “Traffic is going to be slow-going for another 1.5 years, but from August 2026 we can look forward to clearer roads in Oxford.”

As we go to press, Oxfordshire’s council leaders are meeting with representatives from Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Swindon to discuss forming a “mayoral strategic authority” – a new body above the county councils, with a directly elected mayor and a strategic view on planning and transport.

The presence of Swindon has emerged as a sticking point in negotiations. Swindon Borough Council’s leader Jim Robbins said he was keen to join with the Thames Valley rather than rural Wiltshire, Dorset and Somerset, writing that “the growth agenda means looking East is best”.

Vale of White Horse District Council, which borders Swindon, has come out against the proposal. Leader Bethia Thomas wrote: “I’m concerned the Vale would be impacted by being placed under a strategic authority that includes Swindon given the two areas have very different economic priorities.”

South Oxfordshire’s leader David Rouane agreed, saying “Swindon’s long-term identity is one of being the ‘Gateway to the West Country’ not part of the South East – we have no historical ties.” He proposed an authority with Berkshire and Buckinghamshire councils.

Oxfordshire’s Liberal Democrat MPs have jointly signed a letter to deputy prime minister Angela Rayner arguing against Swindon, saying “We are aware that discussions are ongoing with Swindon, and we would like to put on record that we believe this is the wrong direction to go.” They observed that Thames Valley Police and the NHS Integrated Care Board largely work on a Berks/Oxon/Bucks area. (It’s not an exact fit: the ICB is only ‘Berkshire West’ while TVP also includes Milton Keynes.)

But as Oxford City’s leader Susan Brown noted, “The ultimate recommendations will come from the county council and unitary councils, not districts such as ourselves.” This is a developing story and we’ll have the latest on our Bluesky feed.

(With apologies to OUFC fans reading this, the Clarion thinks there’s a case for including Swindon. Direct 29-minute trains from affordable Swindon to expensive Oxford would help relieve housing pressure on both city and county. An authority including both could make a stronger case for Wantage & Grove and even Shrivenham stations. Swindon has more in common with Reading and Oxford than it does with rural Dorset and Somerset. And seriously, have you ever been to Aylesbury? But we don’t make the decisions…)

Around the city

• Extinction Rebellion staged two protests in Oxford this week. First they dressed as suffragettes on Cornmarket, in protest against prison sentences for climate activists: 16 protestors from Just Stop Oil are appearing against imprisonment next week. XR Oxford say that the Suffragettes were “also political prisoners derided in their day”. The next day they staged a protest at Barclays Bank on Cornmarket over the bank’s continued investment in fossil fuels. Drummers and singers performed, handing out leaflets to bank customers. Organiser Steve Dawe said: “Barclays choose not to recognise the importance of stopping funding climate-wrecking fossil fuel industries. As in the bank’s support of apartheid in the past, it seems to want to be the last to act. The public has a choice and can shut down their Barclays accounts.“
• Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help in tracing a man who went missing in Oxford. Benedict, aged 20, was last seen near Frideswide Square at around 12.50am on Sunday. TVP say they are now searching river banks and surrounding areas. They ask anyone who sees him to call 999.
• A primary school in Oxford has installed 130 solar panels with a loan from Oxfordshire County Council. Local Cllr Emily Kerr says the school will 'share energy data with the children on a regular basis, educating them about sustainable energy'.
• The new Mayor of Oxford is to be Louise Upton, with Mike Rowley as Deputy Mayor and Andrew Gant as Sheriff. They will be sworn in at the traditional mayor-making ceremony in Oxford Town Hall in May, after which the bells of Carfax will be rung. Councillor Upton was elected to Oxford City Council in 2013 and represents Walton Manor ward; she is currently Cabinet Member for Planning, and for many years held the role of Cycling Champion. Cllr Rowley is the current Mayor of Oxford. Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Cllr Andrew Gant becomes Sheriff, a ceremonial role. One of the surviving duties of the Sheriff of Oxford is acting as conservator of Port Meadow, where cattle ‘drives’ are still carried out each year.
• The Odeon on George Street has finally closed in advance of the site’s redevelopment as an “aparthotel” and community space. The cinema opened as the Ritz in 1936 and later became the ABC.
• The Covered Market could get a further £1m investment if city budget proposals are approved. The City Council has proposed increasing the refurbishment budget to cover upgrading utilities, decluttering the market, and improving signage. Plans are subject to approval by the full council as part of the annual budget process.
• A 23 year old man has been fined £793 for using a relative's blue badge, previously reported lost, to park in Oxford city centre. The blue badge holder was not present at the time. For Oxfordshire County Council, Cllr Neil Fawcett commented: “People rely on their blue badges so that they can park near workplaces, supermarkets & health facilities. Illegal use of the scheme denies a space to someone who really needs it. This enforcement operation shows that this council is taking action to stop this abuse.”

Around the county

• History theme park Puy du Fou has opened a consultation for the park it wants to construct near Bicester. The French company says it aims to create “spectacular historical live shows and immersive experiences based upon the history and culture of a country and its people”. The chosen site is near Bucknell village, northwest of Bicester. The park would have four period villages, 13 live shows, and three on-site hotels “themed to different periods of British history”. Construction would be phased over a decade “depending on visitor number growth”. A free shuttle bus would operate from Bicester’s railway stations, with 50% of visitors arriving by public transport. A new cycleway would be built from Bicester, with a traffic-free greenway circling the site and potentially linking to other nearby traffic-free routes at Ardley and Heyford. Public meetings will be held on 6–8 February in Bicester, Banbury and Bucknell. The masterplan is open for comment on a dedicated website in advance of an outline planning application being submitted later this year.
• Oxfordshire’s LibDem MPs have come out in favour of a single unitary council for Oxfordshire. In their letter on mayoral authorities (see above), they wrote “We firmly believe, and have always believed, that if we are to harness the potential of our great County, we need to take a whole county approach. It is for this reason that we do not believe in carving up the county in any way, shape or form, including any plan for a so-called ‘greater Oxford’ plan.”
• Thames Valley Police Chief Constable, Jason Hogg, has been reinstated from suspension pending appeal. Commissioner Matthew Barber said: “As with all of us, [he] is innocent unless proven otherwise, and it remains for the IOPC to conclude their investigation.” We reported on the original suspension for alleged gross misconduct here.
• And finally, in canine police news, former Thames Valley Police dog Pacer is hanging up his harness and looking for his fur-ever home. He can live with other dogs, and when walking, likes a ball. TVP have all the details

University and research

• Oxford University is best in the world for medicine and computer science, though only 7th for law, according to the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Oxford retains first place overall, based on teaching, research, and income from industry. Other ranking systems are available.
• Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, and Evan Sharp, co-founder of Pinterest, will give the Rewley Lecture on “Reconnecting with the Sacred in a Technology-Driven World” next month. The talk will cover “how we integrate technology with magic, the divine, and ancient tech such as prayer and ritual”. Organised by the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School, the lecture takes place on 19 February at 5pm in the Sheldonian Theatre. Tickets can be booked online.
• The Oxford English Dictionary now offers search assistance using AI. We asked “Which words share their derivation with Clarion?” and got a list including “lituate”, “sumphion”, and “ruet”. OED access is free online with an Oxfordshire public library card.
• Pharma giant GSK has announced a £50m collaboration with Oxford University to work on vaccines to prevent cancer. This builds on the recently announced five year collaboration between Oxford and GSK to establish the Institute of Molecular and Computational Medicine. Tony Wood, GSK's Chief Scientific Officer said: “We’re pleased to combine the deep knowledge of Oxford and GSK scientists. By exploring precancer biology we aim to generate key insights for the people at risk of developing cancer.”
• A study by the University of Oxford has recommended setting VAT rates of food based on its climate impact to produce. It would mean charging full levies on meat and dairy, and zero-rating fruit and vegetables. Prof Marco Springmann said this approach was “as good as a no-loss policy gets [...] When it comes to food, tax systems across the EU & UK are currently not fit for purpose. A modern tax system that addresses the critical health and environmental challenges of the food system is urgently needed.”
• The Ikea Foundation has given £2m to Oxford University’s Refugee-Led Research Hub, a project to help refugees find work in humanitarian communities. RLRH’s Mohamed Hassan said “For those who have experienced displacement, seeing someone with a shared background on the other side of the table is transformative.”

Trains & buses

• East West Rail says it had a “record number of people” responding to its plans for direct Oxford–Cambridge railway services. The consultation, which includes a new line from Bedford to Cambridge as well as upgrades to the line in Oxfordshire, closed last week. Over 5,500 people responded to the consultation. In Bicester the chief topic was London Road level crossing, which EWR has suggested should be closed to traffic and replaced with a pedestrian/cycle bridge or underpass. Local MP Calum Miller has called for a car underpass to form part of the plans. Next, EWR says it will publish a report summarising feedback from this consultation, before moving on to a statutory consultation for the next stage of the route, and finally a Development Consent Order to build the line. Rachel Reeves’ Wednesday announcement showcased East-West Rail, with hints of support for the new line from Bedford to Cambridge.

Walking & cycling

• A long-awaited cycle path has opened in southern Kennington, avoiding 1km of on-road riding on the Oxford to Abingdon route. The developer-funded route passes Redrow’s new ‘The Lawns’ estate. The new path connects to the popular existing path by the railway, leaving Radley as the one remaining on-road section of the Oxford–Abingdon route. In 2023 Oxfordshire County Council approved a new cycleway along Kennington Road and Whites Lane, so the route could be complete in the next few years.

• The fences have now been removed from the Gasworks Pipe Bridge worksite, so people can walk, wheel or cycle without diversion along the Isis bank.

Oxfordshire politics

If you're new here, welcome. Each week we round up what we’ve spotted our Oxfordshire MPs doing in their constituencies. We don’t claim it’s a complete picture. Casework rarely makes the headlines, and not everything is reportable – for example, last week Layla Moran's section was uncharacteristically short. This week we learned that she had in fact been in Ukraine, which you would understandably not talk about at the time. (A war zone and the Botley Road meeting in one week? Quite a week.)

• Oxford East’s Anneliese Dodds is hosting a drop in event with Thames Valley Police at Ark-T, Cowley, today (Friday) at 4pm. Details here. She went canvassing in the pouring rain in Cowley. On Wednesday she welcomed news of the Growth Corridor, talking up its potential to boost the local economy. She signed the Holocaust Educational Trust's memorial book and shared this video from Lord Alf Dubs, a Labour peer who arrived from Prague on the Kindertransport; whatever your politics, this one is worth a watch.
• Banbury MP Sean Woodcock spoke out against incoming US Vice President J.D. Vance’s warning that the UK was becoming an “Islamic state with nuclear weapons”. He voted for Labour's Special Measures Water Bill, and signed a letter to the CEOs of the big supermarkets asking for a fair deal for farmers. He celebrated a local councillor flagging potholes to fix and visited Good Game cafe in Banbury Town Centre, Banbury's first board game cafe. (We want to know what game he played. Monopoly? Risk? Or was it a House of Cards?) He marked Holocaust Memorial Day by posting an image of a lighted candle, and signing the Holocaust Educational Trust's Book of Commitment.
• Layla Moran, MP for Oxford West & Abingdon, wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year (as did other Oxfordshire MPs), and spoke out against Thames Water in Parliament. Again. She signed the Holocaust Educational Trust’s memorial book and reflected on other genocides as well as the ongoing genocide in Xinjiang.
• Didcot & Wantage MP Olly Glover supported this campaign to stop sewage dumping in watercourses and voted in support of the Armed Forces Commissioner Bill to appoint a commissioner to advocate for serving personnel and their families. He advocated to lift the charity lottery cap, saying it would benefit local projects such as the MS Therapy Centre in Milton Park, Chilton School & the Letcombe Brook Project. This thread shows him speaking in support of the Climate and Nature Bill – and having Conservative MP Simon Hoare agreeing with him; he argues for economic growth, but accompanied by Net Zero. The videos are worth a watch for a thoughtful debate on this challenging subject. One other interesting debate: he discussed the relative merits of child and adult cycle training with Chris Boardman (conclusion: you need infrastructure combined with cycle training). He signed the Holocaust Educational Trust's memorial book, and marked the day with an image of a lighted candle.
• Charlie Maynard, MP for Witney, supported the Climate & Nature Bill in Parliament. On the Water (Special Measures) Bill, he railed against the Labour government rejecting all 44 of the LibDems’ proposed amendments, saying that customers shouldn't have to be funding water companies' debts. He visited the Blue Cross in Burford. He’s a fan of walking his constituency to meet people “on the ground”: here's his account of this third constituency walk from last week, starting at Pinkhill Lock on the Thames and ending with a cuppa at Aston Pottery, a favourite of West Oxfordshire cyclists. He alerted his constituents to Cold Weather Payment triggers, and he too signed the Holocaust Educational Trust's memorial book.
• Bicester and Woodstock MP Calum Miller shared an update of his week which gives a flavour of the complexity of an MP’s job. He supported this RSPCA campaign for clear labelling on animal products. He visited Bicester Green a social enterprise with a Library of Things, and Caroline's Cafe in Ambrosden, a cafe that aims to bring the military and the local community closer together. He too signed the Holocaust Educational Trust's memorial book
• Henley & Thame’s Freddie van Mierlo continued his campaign to re-open Marsh Lock Footbridge over the Thames. He supported the RSPCA's campaign to label food with animal welfare information. He spoke in Parliament on the Water (Special Measures Bill); you can see his speech here. He met with scientists of the Dementia Research Institute and with Duchenne UK to talk about medication for muscular dystrophy. He committed to use his role in Parliament to support survivors of domestic abuse. He shared Wokingham MP Clive Jones speaking in Parliament about the need to upgrade Royal Berks Hospital (which has buckets collecting rainwater from the leaking roof, and is also critical for van Mierlo's Henley & Thame constituents). He spoke in Parliament on the Climate and Nature Bill (speech here). He asked the Minister to include Ewelme in a rollout of fast broadband. Finally he too signed the Holocaust Educational Trust's memorial book.

This weekend

• Oxford Improv Festival: three days of shows and workshops at the Old Fire Station’s Loft Room. This all-new festival features “scenes, songs, Shakespeare, musical, raps and much more, from a happy mix of students and residents”. Includes ‘Improv Jams’ in the café.
• TEDx Oxford takes place in the Sheldonian on Sunday. ‘Fuel for Founders’, ‘How to Win a Culture War’ and ‘What if Becoming a Genius was Actually Easy’. …Okay.
• Four Candles? Oxfordshire’s finest comedy export Ronnie Barker is celebrated at an exhibition in the Museum of Oxford in the Town Hall – from Cowley to an antiques shop in Chipping Norton.
• Oxford’s churches will be marking Candlemas on Sunday. Both New College and Magdalen are singing Eccard’s obligatory ‘When to the temple Mary went’, but Howells’ Westminster Service at New swings it for us.

Dates for your diary

• Oxford Cyclist Film Festival, this Thursday (6 February). 2.5 hours of short cycling films, dreams and adventures.

Dance like no one is watching

Last week was Blue Monday, and Team Clarion took to wistfully thinking of a cold drink dancing with Mini Clarions in some corner of an Oxfordshire field bedecked in (biodegradable) glitter. If you, too, wish for escapism, here is some future music for you to dream of.

• Henley Festival tickets are on staggered release at the moment. The lineup includes Diana Ross, McFly and Matteo Bocelli.
• Nocturne at Blenheim Palace is never less than epic. Headliners have just been announced (cough, Gary Barlow).
• Wood Festival branched out from the larger Truck Festival in 2008 as a lowkey eco-friendly, family friendly event with a focus on folk.
• Truck Festival itself, “the UK's most warped village fete”, has a huge line-up including Kasabian and Franz Ferdinand.
• Wilderness at Cornbury Park announced its lineup this week, perhaps a little more mainstream than recent years with Basement Jaxx and Supergrass.
• If folk-rock is your bag, head to Fairport Convention's Cropredy Festival. The headliners are yet to be announced. Oh, ok, it’ll be Fairport Convention again.
• Witney Music Festival is headlined by Goldie Lookin Chain and delivered in partnership with Witney Town Council. You knows it. (Is it too much to ask for a ‘Straight Outta Carterton’ parody?)

We feel very lucky to live in a county with so much great music. Did we miss your favourite festival? Our inbox is open and we might do this section again...

Oxford’s independent media

• The Oxford Sausage tells the fascinating tale of a 'tumbling house' on Cornmarket where one William Stokes taught Charles II to vault.
• Muddy Stilettos shares the best walks to spot snowdrops.
• Little Oxplorers has the top 5 mud-free pushchair walks in Oxford.
• The Oxford Blue looks at budget-friendly alternatives to champagne.
• Cherwell talks about Chinese New Year at Oxford, and one student's fight to play traditional music at a formal college dinner.
• Ox in a Box recommends the Slow & Steady as a pub to watch the Six Nations. (The Clarion recommends it as a great pub all round!)

Notes from Clarion HQ

Thank you to the many, many of you who sent us Alan Rickman memes in response to our Sheriff/Mayor story. You know who you are, and they gave us a smile.

More seriously, the Clarion has been championing Oxford – its communities, universities, businesses and sheer potential – since we started. Perhaps we are sometimes a critical friend, but we love our city and our county, and have been cheered by this week’s announcement of investment and a growth commission. Dare we dream that the green shoots of progress will continue to grow? Or will they, like this week's snowdrops, wither away in a month only to be revived in a year… We’ll be watching, and hoping.