Emergency services shut the M40 between J11 at Banbury and J12 at Gaydon during the afternoon rush hour of Thursday, May 14.

According to Highways England, the incident involved a vehicle that has left the carriageway.

The air ambulance landed nearby to help with emergency services.

Meanwhile, traffic was backed up for more than an hour and stretched back over two miles once lane three had reopened.

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A Thames Valley Air Ambulance spokesperson said: “We can confirm that our helicopter was dispatched to provide advanced critical care at an incident in Banbury yesterday.”

Thames Valley Police was approached for a comment on the condition of those involved, but it refused to comment.

The energy regulator Ofgem found that British Gas installed prepayment meters without consent in some homes between 2018 and 2021, including properties deemed vulnerable.

The findings followed a lengthy investigation by the regulator, which has described the case as one of its most complex to date.

Tim Jarvis, chief executive of Ofgem, said: “It is clear that British Gas fell short in its treatment of an unacceptable number of vulnerable customers who had a prepayment meter installed without consent, and it’s right that they’ve taken action to put things right.

“Because of our action customers will receive a substantial package of redress, compensation and debt write off.”

As part of the settlement, British Gas will write off up to £70 million of energy debt for vulnerable customers.

The £20 million compensation covers customers who were impacted between 2018 and 2021, in addition to payments already made to those affected in 2022 and 2023.

Chris O’Shea, group chief executive of Centrica, which owns British Gas, said: “What happened should never have happened, and I am sorry to the prepayment customers who were affected.

“When we get things wrong, we make them right.

“When these issues came to light in 2023, we apologised, stopped the activity immediately and took rapid action to improve our processes and change how we engage with customers in debt, particularly those in vulnerable situations.

“Over the last three years, we have treated this matter with the seriousness it deserves and have made changes to our practices and put safeguards in place to ensure we deliver the standards our customers have every right to expect.”

Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, added: “British Gas has finally been held to account for the forced pre-payment meters scandal.

“The results of the Ofgem investigation are truly shocking.

“They have confirmed that British Gas knew about these failings as far back as 2018, was warned again in 2021, and still did not take adequate action.

“That means the firm knowingly forced prepayment meters onto customers, potentially including those with disabilities and families with young children.

“While the £20 million fine, combined with up to £70 million in debt write-offs, is a significant outcome to the investigation, it should not be mistaken for the end of this story.”

The Office for Rail and Road has approved Great Western Railway’s application to run a daily two-hourly direct rail service between the three places on weekdays and Saturdays.

The new service, which is hoped may become hourly in the future, builds on a Saturday trial of the new route.

The approved service is subject to Network Rail implementing level crossing safety measures.

A spokesman for the Office for Rail and Road said the two-hourly weekday and Saturday services between Oxford, Swindon and Bristol is effective from May 2026 to December 2027.

A Great Western Railway service (Image: Supplied)

He said this was agreed after analysing information and representations about the “impact on punctuality and reliability” as well as level crossing safety.

“However, this is subject to Network Rail first deciding upon and implementing reasonably practicable level crossing safety measures,” the Office for Rail and Road spokesman added.

“Network Rail will undertake a performance review of the two-hourly service before deciding on a long-term view on GWR’s proposal to run hourly services.”

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Great Western Railways’ spokesman said customers will be “disappointed” that the Office for Rail and Road fell short of agreeing to proposals to fully reinstate services.

“We will continue working closely with Network Rail and industry partners to understand what more can be done to introduce additional services as quickly and safely as possible,” he added.

There are no direct services between Oxford and Swindon. While there are frequent trains, passengers need to change at Didcot Parkway or Reading to travel between the two stations.

That extends what could be a short journey to more than 40 minutes as a minimum.

The approximately 30 mile drive to the Wiltshire town from Oxford takes roughly an hour down the A420 depending on traffic.

Swindon has frequently appeared in the annual ‘top 50 worst places to live in England’ list by satirical website ILiveHere.co.uk, ranking as high as eighth in 2023.

But despite this, studies have shown that a Oxford to Swindon corridor would deliver “substantial” economic, environmental and social benefits.

Susan Brown, Oxford City Council leader (Image: Oxford City Council)

It’s largely believed that by opening up a direct railway link, traffic congestion would be relieved on the A420 from Oxford city centre to Swindon.

Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, previously said: “A direct Oxford to Swindon rail service is very welcome news for Oxford.

“It would connect Oxford to the West and Bristol with a direct, reliable and sustainable public transport option, essential for supporting businesses, attracting investment and giving people better choices for commuting and leisure.”