Oxford News
Oxford: Anger as £1.4m from congestion charge to companies
As reported, accounts for the county council have revealed County Hall has spent £1,406,282.80 on the congestion charge to private companies since it was introduced in October.
Businesses include Portsmouth-based Modaxo Traffic Management UK, which have been given over £330,000 for processing penalty charge notices.
Meanwhile, Exeter-based Unity Five Ltd have been given nearly £100,000 for its permit management software.
READ MORE: £1.4m given to private companies for Oxford congestion charge
And the Oxford Bus Company was handed nearly £1m in reimbursements to fund the free park and ride bus travel offer.
Driver Stu Hill said: “This is totally wrong. Private companies should net be benefiting. It should be helping to improve systems for the public.”
Meanwhile resident Richard Smith claimed the congestion charge is “more anti vehicle rules” by the council.
“This will kill shops and shopping centres and have an impact on jobs not just in the shops,” he added.
“Have Oxford put in a park and ride system? Does allow shopping trolleys?”
Resident Marcus Flynn said: “What’s interesting is always how councils pass our taxes into private hands.”
Most drivers argued the money could be well spent on other pressing issues across the county.
Liz Brookes said: “Well let’s have some spent on the roads around Oxford they are in a dreadful state… please can this be done before there is a fatal accident?”
While Denise Driver added: “What about spending this money on repairing the potholes in Oxford, the roads are terrible and dangerous.”
Although some drivers argued the millions in spending is worth it given the costs of operating the congestion charge.
Peter Bowyer said: “Nobody ‘gave’ private companies the money – they tendered and were awarded a contract, delivered a service and were paid for it.”
Oxfordshire County Council is expected to generate a £5.2m surplus from the controversial £5 daily charge to drive through six streets in the city.
Roads include Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement’s Street, Thames Street, Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way.
It comes as 70 per cent of businesses in Oxford say the congestion charge has had no effect, or a positive effect on their business, and 30 per cent report a negative effect.
The results, found in a survey commissioned by Oxfordshire County Council, also found hospitality say it is the hardest hit by the daily £5 fee.
Suburban businesses, particularly those with a shopfront, were significantly less positive than city centre businesses.
Spend data shows year-on-year declines in consumer spending across the city, in line with national trends
Anyone with the food and drink items has been urged not to eat them and instead return to store for a refund.
Honeycomb Blast Choc Bar made by Buttermilk Confections has been recalled by the Food Standards Agency because it contains milk which is not stated on the label.
This is dangerous for anyone with a milk allergy or intolerance.
The packs affected are the 45g sizes with batch code BM26105 and a best before date of June 15, 2027.
Dalston Soda Company are also recalling Dalston’s Pineapple Soda drink because there is a risk that the cans may unexpectedly break apart and leave sharp edges which may cause injury.
The single cans affected are the 330ml cans with a batch code of 037130 with a best before date of August 4, 2027.
The four can multipacks are also affected with customers who bought the packs with the batch code 037129 and the expiry date of August 4, 2027 urged to return the product.
Dalston’s Soda Company said: “To safely dispose of the product; handle the cans as little as possible, place them carefully, upright, in a sealed bag and dispose of them with your household waste.”
Waitrose is urging all customers who bought their pack of four richly fruited hot cross buns to return them to the store for a full refund.
Customers with an allergy to barley are at risk because the buns contain barley, but it is not declared on the item.
The pack of four richly fruited hot cross buns with a best before date of June 6, 2026 can be returned to store for a full refund without a receipt.
Fans of Gü Double Sea Salted Caramel Frozen Dessert are being told to look in their freezer because some packets were made without the labels declaring the product may contain hazelnuts and soya lecithin.
The products with the lot number 126135 with a best before date of June 30, 2027 are a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to nuts and/or soya.
The popular deserts can be returned to the store it was bought at for a full refund.
Meanwhile, Fox’s Burton’s Companies (FBC) are recalling their Arran Fine Foods Caramelised Red Onion Chutney because it may contain pieces of metal.
If you have bought the above product do not eat it. Instead, return it to the store from where it was purchased for a full refund.
The 195g onions with any of these best before dates are at risk:
- November 25, 2028
- January 7, 2029
- January 14, 2029
- January 15, 2029,
- January 26, 2029
- January 27, 2029
- February 2, 2029
- February 3, 2029
The recalled 1.35kg best before date:
- April 28, 2027
- April 29, 2027
- July 7, 2027
- July 28, 2027
- August 9, 2027
- August 16, 2027
- August 17, 2027
Bidding consortium London & Valley Water (L&VW) has put forward plans to inject £3.35b of new equity and up to £6.55b in new debt as it looks to secure backing for its deal.
However, it’s been reported in the Financial Times that the emergency deal would cost Thames Water £160m in fees to senior creditors, if agreed to.
What’s more, an extra £254m in “other costs” would be needed by the utility, comprising mostly of lawyer fees and bankers.
READ MORE: Policeman accused of being ‘overly familiar’ with woman
Thames Water would also pay an estimated £285m in accrued interest owed to creditors on the day a deal was completed, according to the terms seen by the FT, on top of almost £50mn in fees owed to other creditors.
Thames Water’s spokesman said: “Thames Water remains focused on securing a recapitalisation to restore financial stability, continue its operational turnaround and deliver essential services for 16 million customers.
“We are already making significant progress in improving performance for customers and the environment, and the proposed deal is intended to support and accelerate that turnaround.”
The creditor group said that the £10bn of new capital it was providing would help improve services and clean up rivers.
A spokesman for L&VW said told the FT: “Thames Water’s restructuring fees and costs are paid for entirely by its creditors — not a penny will come from customer money.
“Under the turnaround plan, regulators will be given more control and oversight to hold Thames Water accountable for delivering a transformation.
“All fines will be paid, no dividends will be taken until the company is turned around and £9.4bn of debt is written off by investors.”
The creditor takeover would stave off the temporary nationalisation of Thames Water, if it is agreed to.
But time is running out to reach an agreement with Thames Water set to run out of money in October.
Industry body Ofwat must submit any deal to a three-month public consultation, and the deal will also have to be signed off by the High Court.
Creditors first went to Ofwat for approval in June 2025.
Thames Water has been left on the brink of collapse by its nearly £20b of debt.
A rescue bid by creditors is seen as the final realistic option on the table to avoid being placed into the Government’s special administration regime after a previous rescue deal with US private equity giant KKR collapsed in May.
Administrators have already been lined up to step in if needed.
Witney Music Festival was back on The Leys Recreation Ground for the culmination of it’s two-week arts programme showcasing the ‘amazing’ talent of the town’s musicians.
The green space was transformed into a festival on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, when a ‘mighty’ line up including the likes of Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Sandi Thom, Ava Joe and Henge brought the house down.
READ MORE: Oxford congestion charge hits hospitality hardest, survey shows
It also saw a hugely popular dance tent and a brand new live comedy night in collaboration with Lone Wolf Comedy Club.
Having ‘smashed’ the big two-decade anniversary, organisers of the festival are already looking ahead to next year.
A statement released by Witney Music Festival said: “Hot off the heels of Witney Music Festival 26- we are now already thinking about next year… and next year, Witney Music Festival turns 21. So we’re starting early.
“A busy bar and a full field make it look like our little festival is a money-spinner. The truth is the opposite.
“Witney Music Festival is a not-for-profit, we’ve never made money, and most years we run at a loss.
“We keep prices as low as we can because putting on the event matters more than the balance sheet.
READ MORE: Police at ‘unauthorised encampment’ of caravans in Oxford park
“Festivals are vanishing everywhere, more than 200 lost in the UK since 2019, and the ones still standing survive because their towns turn out for them.
“That’s where you come in. We need Witney behind us, and every ticket you buy helps keep this festival alive.”
Super early bird tickets have already been released for the festival to be held next year, with just 500 spots available at £10 Saturday entry plus a booking fee.
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoWhat happens to Halifax customers if Lloyds makes changes?
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoActor steps down from major role in new Harry Potter series
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoOxfordshire bridge closure comes as management ‘weaknesses’ found
-
UK News4 weeks agoBurnham seeks to calm markets by committing to fiscal rules
-
UK News4 weeks agoGlass deposit scheme 'risks major problems' for retail industry
-
UK News4 weeks agoEx-minister Shapps quits aerospace firm over rule concerns
-
Student Life4 weeks agoTommy Robinson Union invite sparks controversy across University
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoRyan Bridge speaks of London arrest after Oxford incident