Oxford News
Pavements near Oxford station ‘too narrow’ for visitors
John Howson, a former Liberal Democrat county councillor, who lives near the rail station and has noticed how there is often not enough room on the narrow pavements in Hythe Bridge Street for the large number of pedestrians who use them.
The street is one of the most popular routes for visitors arriving at the rail station who walk to the city centre.
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Mr Howson said now is a good time to review the matter as traffic could get worse when the Botley Road reopens.
The road is due to reopen at the end of August following a three-and-a-half year closure linked to work connected with a multi-million pound upgrade of Oxford station.
Mr Howson said: “Should the county council consider closing Hythe Bridge Street to through traffic, and just use Park End Street as the north-south route through the city, especially now we have the congestion charge and reduced traffic flows?
“This issue was highlighted during a recent Oxford University open day, which brought large numbers of visitors from the railway station heading to Broad Street in the city centre.
“The pavements in Hythe Bridge Street between the end of the canal and Worcester Street have always been an issue for pedestrians, but the closure of the footpath between Rewley Road and Upper Fisher Row for long-term building works has brought the issue into sharper focus.”
Mr Howson added: “Hythe Bridge Street could remain a shared space between these two roads for residents and deliveries, and only in use for emergency vehicles between the canal and Worcester Street. All other traffic could be routed via Park End Street.
“There might need to be additional measures to stop cars queuing for the Westgate car park blocking the Park End Street junction at Frideswide Square, but that is something, especially at weekends, the county council should have tackled months ago.
“As a part of this change, the routing of buses to and from the station forecourt might also be worth reconsidering, as the current arrangement in Frideswide Square is not conducive to good timekeeping during periods of heavy traffic.
“The reopening of the Botley Road in September will only make matters worse, if nothing is done, as there will be a new influx of vehicles from the west towards the city centre and Westgate.”
Oxford Pedestrians Association has long identified Hythe Bridge Street as one of the worst congestion points for pedestrians.
It said in a statement that the county council should consider a radical change to improve life for pedestrians heading into the city centre from the station, adding the street should be “closed to through motorised traffic to create a safe and pleasant walking and cycling route between the station and city centre”.
Chairwoman Sushila Dhall said: “The pavements on Hythe Bridge Street especially at the east half of the road are far too narrow considering they are the main route between the station and the city centre. Pedestrians frequently spill out into the road.”
The county council has been asked to comment.
Winterwatch was first released in 2012, as a spin-off to the equally popular shows Springwatch and Autumnwatch.
Chris Packham and Kate Humble launched the show, with Michaela Strachan, a loyal Oxford United fan, going on to replace the latter.
Winterwatch showcased various aspects of British wildlife during the harsher, colder months, with its live video feeds and thermal cameras capturing creatures in the wild.
The BBC has now revealed that Winterwatch will not continue as part of its “evolving commissioning strategy”, and a podcast is expected to replace it.
It has also been confirmed that Springwatch will return in May 2027 for three weeks.
Instead of Winterwatch, a new video podcast, with the working title Naturewatch, is coming to BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
Launching this autumn, it will provide a regular round-up of the biggest British nature stories every week.
It will celebrate seasonal wildlife moments, explore nature news, talk to experts, and share remarkable animal sightings from across the UK.
Each weekly episode will be accompanied by a special audio-only Q&A programme, exclusive to BBC Sounds, where hosts will answer audience questions about the natural world.
Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning for Specialist Factual, said: “Nature never stops – and neither should we.
“Every week, Naturewatch will give Springwatch fans – and all wildlife lovers – a new way to stay connected to the natural world, whether that’s on TV, iPlayer or Sounds.
“The BBC is committed to celebrating British nature across all our platforms, and we hope this new series will encourage audiences to fall in love with the natural world around them.
“By expanding the Watches brand, we are making the BBC’s brilliant Natural History content even more accessible.”
Fans of Winterwatch have shared their sadness at the decision, with some urging the BBC to reconsider.
One said: “This is really sad, what a great programme.”
Another added: “This is sad news. They are wonderful programmes,” and a third wrote: “This is a dreadful decision.”
Others shared a link to the contact page on the BBC, saying: “It only takes a few minutes to write a quick, polite comment asking them to reconsider.”
Michaela Strachan has been a U’s fan for a number of years, and was at Wembley in 2024 with her son to see the team promoted.
Oxford United were promoted to the Championship after a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Sky Bet League One play-off in Wembley.
More than 30,000 Oxford fans were backing the team at Wembley and saw them earn their first promotion in 25 years.
Rh3ova is a newly formed collaboration between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and global energy tech company Eni, incorporated in the UK.
The venture will provide specialist consultancy and operational services to the emerging global fusion energy sector.
Fusion technology has long been considered a potential clean and virtually limitless energy source, but significant technical hurdles remain.
Stephen Wheeler, executive director of tritium fuel cycle at UKAEA, said: “Having operated the Joint European Torus, which was the world’s most powerful deuterium-tritium fusion machine for more than 40 years, and with 30 years’ experience of tritium operations, the UK is a leader in tritium fuel cycle technology.
“For fusion to be realised as a commercially viable source of energy, however, this expertise must be scaled beyond the lab.
“Rh3ova will combine UKAEA’s scientific and operational know-how, with Eni’s large-scale industrial capability, and leverage this joint expertise to increase knowledge and understanding across the fusion sector.”
Fusion energy relies on deuterium and tritium, which are both heavier isotopes of hydrogen, and serve as the main fuel in experimental nuclear fusion reactors.
Tritium management poses a major challenge due to its scarcity and the complex technologies required for its production, use, and recovery in a fusion power cycle.
Lorenzo Fiorillo, director of technology, R&D, and digital at Eni, said: “Fusion energy has the potential to redefine the global energy landscape, and at Eni we are committed on multiple fronts to turning this potential into tangible industrial progress.”
NEW PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION “Wounded Water” to open at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford as part of the MA in Professional Photography show.
Andrew Perris is proud to announce Wounded Water, which focuses on the decline of our valuable waterways from both an environmental and human perspective. Wounded Water is a photographic journey along a chalk stream, the River Ems in Sussex. Chalk streams are a globally rare phenomenon, with only around 220 worldwide, 85% of which are situated in the United Kingdom.
We are reaching a point of no return to save these wonders, whilst this work is a call to action, it also seeks to reveal the beauty in the seemingly ordinary and mundane, uncovering the hidden details of a stream that many might pass without a second glance. It also challenges the belief that meaningful natural experiences require travel to distant and exotic places, and show this beauty can be found within a short distance of our homes.
The exhibition will run from 13th June 2026 to 21st June 2026, with a special opening reception and artist meet-and-greet on 12th June 2026 from 18.00 to 20.00h
Taking place at Oxford Brookes University, located at NHBB GALLERY – NHBB BUILDING
HEADINGTON HILL CAMPUS, OX3 0BP
The opening reception on 12th June is free and open to the public, and the artist will be available for interviews and to discuss the inspiration behind the work.
Following the opening, the exhibition can be viewed daily 10.00 – 16.00h
Admission to the gallery is free.
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