Crime & Safety
Oxford residents ‘not benefiting from free park and ride’
Anna Railton has urged Oxfordshire County Council to put the income generated from fines and the £5 daily fee to be put into discounted bus tickets for city residents.
The Labour city council cabinet member for net zero argued it “isn’t fair” those coming into the city get free travel through the park and ride, when those living in the ring road have no need to use a park and ride.
It comes as Oxfordshire County Council renewed its free bus ride offering to those who park their cars in the park and rides until the end of May.
Ms Railton said: “Oxford residents aren’t benefiting from this. Five months in we’re still waiting for the discounts for people who live in Oxford.
“The 50 per cent unspent revenue from the congestion charge needs to be spent on providing bus discounts for Oxford residents.
“It is not fair that an Oxford congestion charge means that people from outside the city travel around by bus for free but if you live here you can’t.”
In January alone, Oxfordshire County Council raised £1,044,640, with £757,435 of this figure coming from the 25,087 fines issued and the rest coming from £5 payments.
Between the start of the scheme on October 29 and the end of January, the most up to date data available, the council raised £1,715,667 from the scheme.
Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport management, said that “of course” an increased park and ride uptake benefits everyone including city residents.
He said it makes streets “safer and less congested” and has delivered “huge benefits” to Abingdon Road in Ms Railton’s ward.
Mr Gant accused Labour of “disappearing inside their own contradictions yet again”, while saying they “oppose” Lib Dem policies that have “delivered cleaner air, reductions in casualties, better cycling and walking, safer streets and vastly improved public transport”.
He added: “And, of course, councillor Railton’s remarks make it very clear that they don’t care about benefits for people who live outside Oxford but contribute massively to its vitality and economy. We do.
“The temporary congestion charge, together with the free park and ride offer funded by the charge, is benefiting residents and visitors to the city alike, with faster journeys, improved bus services, cleaner air, reduced traffic and safer streets.
“Our focus is on reducing car use in the city, and promoting park and ride is an excellent way to do that.
“The city council has also been supportive of park and ride use by building three park and ride sites with over 3,500 spaces, and it jointly funded the previous discounted park and ride combined ticket offer.
“Further plans how income from the temporary congestion charge could be spent will be considered by the council’s cabinet at a public meeting later in the spring.
“However, the congestion charge is not generating anywhere near enough income to offer significant universal bus fare reductions in Oxford.”
The Oxford Bus Company has reported an eight per cent increase in bus passengers since the congestion charge started in October.
Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel, welcomed the free park and ride extension, saying the reduced congestion is speeding up bus times.
“This has meant more services on the 5A, 100 and 700, the introduction of new service 20, faster journeys in south Oxfordshire and additional links for Rose Hill, Littlemore and the Iffley Road,” he said.
“Free travel on park and ride services is working and we would like to see it confirmed for the duration of the temporary congestion charge to provide clarity for everyone, particularly for city centre business ahead of the key summer season.”
A five-month-old cavapoo, a crossbreed of a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a poodle, was “mauled to death” in West Bar Street, Banbury on Good Friday.
Owner Eddie Reeves said the attack happened “in an instant” and described there being “blood all over me and our baby”.
Thames Valley Police were called to the attack and have seized the two dogs part of the attack – including an American Akita and a French Bulldog.
Mr Reeves, who is also a Cherwell district councillor, warned people with babies or small dogs to stay ‘well away’ from an address in West Bar Street.
He said: “Our darling cavapoo, Coco, has just been mauled to death while walking in town with our five-month-old baby.
“It happened in an instant. There is blood all over me and our baby, neither of whom were bitten.
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“Thames Valley Police are on their way, but the number of young men with dangerous dogs in this country is out of control. The dogs need to be put down.”
Politicians have rallied around Mr Reeves in light of his beloved dog’s death.
Councillor Andrew Crichton said: “Eddie, I am so sorry to read this. Absolutely disgusting that this has happened. May Coco rest in peace. My condolences to you and your family.”
Banbury MP Sean Woodcock said: “This is really awful Eddie. I’m so sorry to read this. My condolences to you and your family.”
Councillor Simon Weston added: “That is awful.! So sorry to read this. I hope the police take the appropriate action.”
It is an offence to let a dog be dangerously out of control whether that’s in public or private. This can include making someojne worry they might injure them, according to Thames Valley Police.
A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman said: “At around 9.15am on Friday, April 3, we were called to a dangerous dog incident in West Bar Street, Banbury
“Two dogs attacked a cavapoo dog who was being walked. The cavapoo dog sadly died from its injuries.
“An investigation has since been launched and both other dogs have been seized.
“Anyone with information about this attack is asked to call 101 or make an online report via our website, quoting reference number 43260161850.”
The Royal Canin says the American Akita is a “heavy-boned, muscular dog whose striking, noble looks and somewhat dominant personality” make an impression.
“Renowned for their fearlessness and deep sense of loyalty, American Akitas have a long history as both guardians and sporting dogs,” it says.
Meanwhile, French Bulldogs are described as “stocky and chock full of personality” but make “fantastic” companions.
“Don’t be fooled by that serious look on their face: there’s usually a playful dog hidden within,” it added. “The French Bulldog is an adaptable breed that just wants to have fun.”
The Southern Oxfordshire Heritage, Culture, and Creative Industries Symposium returned to Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot on March 25, bringing together 30 representatives from museums, theatres, arts organisations, educational institutions, and heritage groups from South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.
The three-hour event was designed to encourage conversation around improving the arts and culture scene in the region.
Georgina Heritage, cabinet member for communities at South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “It was wonderful to see people coming together again from across the districts.
“The workshops sparked some really insightful discussions, and it’s great to see our creative and cultural community collaborating and supporting one another.”
Sessions focused on sharing best practices in audience development and inclusion.
Workshops and presentations also addressed funding opportunities and reaching new audiences, and collaboration and partnership working.
Helen Pighills, cabinet member for community health and wellbeing at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “It’s inspiring to see local organisations reconnect and share ideas on audience engagement and inclusive practice.
“Events like this help us strengthen partnerships, reach new audiences, and ensure creativity continues to thrive across the region.”
The symposium was funded through grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England.
Another event is scheduled for June this year.
For more details please email: cultureandheritage@southandvale.gov.uk.
The scheme is set to kick off at Kidlington FC on Thursday, April 16, with a pilot session initiated by The Joey Beauchamp Foundation.
Working in partnership with Oxford United in the Community, and supported by the Oxfordshire FA, the scheme also sees collaboration between three local grassroots clubs: Kidlington Youth, Kidlington FC, and Garden City.
The workshop is part of a broader programme aimed at helping grassroots coaches and volunteers understand mental health better.
It focuses on recognising early signs of distress and responding safely, using the FA’s established safeguarding frameworks.
The initiative highlights the crucial role grassroots football plays in local communities.
Coaches and club officials often serve as trusted figures in young people’s lives.
The pilot aims to equip them with the confidence and practical tools to recognise changes in behaviour, mood, or engagement, start supportive conversations, understand their safeguarding responsibilities, and direct young people and families to appropriate support.
The training is purely awareness and safeguarding-based.
It reinforces that coaches aren’t expected to diagnose or provide therapy but to recognise, respond, record, and refer concerns appropriately.
For more information about the Joey Beauchamp Foundation and how to get involved, please visit www.joeybeauchamp.org or contact info@joeybeauchamp.org and socials links to follow.
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