Network Rail confirmed today that the major road in the city will remain closed beyond the end of August.

The reopening of Botley Road had been planned for the end of August when the programme, involving the upgrading of Oxford Station and local infrastructure, was reviewed and amended in January 2025 to prioritise the reopening of the road to traffic.

However, during excavation work relating to drainage for the new road, three minor gas leaks were identified on part of the gas network, owned by SGN.

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The pipe was not damaged by the Network Rail work.

In the interests of safety, and to avoid disruptive and unplanned work to repair potential gas leaks in the future, Network Rail has agreed to accommodate work by gas distribution company SGN to replace a section of their network beneath Botley Road, as well as completing existing Network Rail work.

A statement from Oxfordshire County Council said: “Earlier this month the council announced that the traffic filter trial would replace Oxford’s temporary congestion charge on 14 September.

“Clearly this will not happen now, as the traffic filter trial will only begin after Botley Road has reopened.”

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Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, added: “This is frustrating news for residents and businesses who have endured this closure for far too long as it is.

“We will continue to work with Network Rail and other partners to ensure the road can be reopened at the earliest possible time.

“As Network Rail has not released a revised opening date for Botley Road, we currently cannot say when our traffic filter trial will start, and the temporary congestion charge will end.

“We will make an announcement in due course, once we can be certain about the reopening.”

The temporary water ban commences at 12.01am tomorrow morning (Thursday, July 23) and affects Oxfordshire.

Gardeners across the region are being urged to rethink how they care for their plants during the current dry spell.

The ban, affecting 10.1 million customers after an “exceptionally warm and dry spring”, means hosepipes should not be used for watering gardens or allotments.

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The water company said its region had seen 40 per cent of average rainfall, and more days at or above 34°C this year than ever recorded before.

While hosepipes may be off limits, there are still plenty of simple ways to keep gardens healthy while using water responsibly.

1. Water smarter, not more

If you’re using a watering can, water early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

This reduces evaporation and allows more water to reach plant roots where it’s needed most.

Products containing wetting agents can also help water penetrate compost more effectively.

2. Prioritise the plants that need it most

Focus your watering on newly planted flowers and vegetables, young shrubs, containers and hanging baskets.

Established trees, mature shrubs and lawns are generally much more resilient and can recover once wetter weather returns.

3. Don’t panic if your lawn turns brown

A brown lawn isn’t necessarily a dead one. Most established lawns naturally go dormant during prolonged dry weather and will quickly green up again after rainfall.

Avoid watering unless you’ve recently laid new turf or sown fresh grass seed, and always check the specific exemptions under your local hosepipe restrictions.

4. Mulch to retain moisture

Applying bark, compost or other organic mulch around plants helps lock moisture into the soil, keeps roots cooler and reduces weed growth, meaning less water is lost through evaporation.

5. Stay on top of weeds

Weeds compete with your plants for valuable water and nutrients.

Removing them regularly ensures the moisture you do use benefits the plants you actually want to grow.

6. Feed plants wisely

Healthy, well-fed plants develop stronger root systems and are better equipped to cope with drought.

Follow product instructions carefully and avoid over-feeding during periods of extreme heat.

7. Make every drop count

Collect rainwater wherever possible using water butts and reuse suitable grey water, such as cooled cooking water or water used to rinse fruit and vegetables.

Avoid using any water containing detergents, bleach or harsh cleaning products.

8. Give containers extra care

Pots and hanging baskets dry out far more quickly than garden borders.

Grouping containers together in a partially shaded area can help reduce moisture loss during heatwaves.

If compost has become extremely dry, something that may happen more readily with peat-free composts, immerse the pot or basket in a container of clean water until air bubbles stop rising. This allows the compost to fully rehydrate.

9. Help plants cope with heat stress

Seaweed-based plant feeds can improve plants’ resilience during periods of drought and heat stress.

As water restrictions begin, making small changes to watering habits can help gardens remain healthy while conserving one of our most precious resources.

Blackfriars Priory is opening a cafe called The Good Habit in St Giles, with works on the site nearing completion.

Planning permission was secured by the Roman Catholic religious order earlier this year, and the final permission to display signage and install a canopy with cafe branding on it is currently under consideration.

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Releasing an update on social media filmed at the site under construction earlier in the summer, Regent of Blackfriars Priory, Fr John O’Connor, said: “At long last we have planning permission, we have the workers on site, and things are moving really quickly with a view to an opening during the summer.

Plans for the soon-to-open Good Habit cafe and bakery (Image: PATH / The Dominican Friars)

“It’s a great project, it’s going to be a retail cafe during the day, buzzing with lots of activity, and then in the evening there’ll be opportunities for Blackfriars Hall events, events for the community, and also events for the wider public as well, in what I think is a wonderful part of Oxford that is buzzing in so many different ways.”

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The unit, at 33 St Giles, was previously a bank up until 2018, but will now be turned into a stylish cafe and events space offering billing itself as a spot for ‘coffee and bakery’ on the signage.

Manager of the new cafe, Rich Sewell, said: “I’m really looking forward to opening Good Habit this summer. I’ve been working with Blackfriars now for the last couple of years and it’s really great to see how this project has been developing.

“I’m looking forward to bringing this to Oxford, it’ll be a great cafe and a great space for everybody – the public and for Blackfriars students to enjoy.”