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PM agrees ‘forever chemical’ talks after tests near Bicester

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Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Bicester MP Calum Miller raised the case of fresh water testing showing elevated levels of per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), 300m from the former RAF Upper Heyford site.

The independently commissioned test, analyses by an accredited laboratory, showed levels up to 43,000 times higher than the safe limit.

These chemicals, which do not breakdown in the environment, accumulate in the body and are linked to cancers. They are commonly associated with Aqueous Film Forming foam, a type of fire fighting foam, which would have likely been used at the base during its operation from 1918 to 1994.

READ MORE: ‘Forever chemicals’ 40 times higher than thought near homes

Residents have been pressing for answers about the extent of contamination, the adequacy of testing and the possible long-term impact on local people, animals and the surrounding environment.

Mr Miller said: “A stream flows through the garden of my constituent Leigh.

“She has suffered from ill health for eight years. She took in chickens and they have died.

“She had a dog. It developed a tumour and died. She is concerned that she may be poisoning her neighbours when she gives them vegetables.”

Mr Miller asked the Prime Minister to ensure that the new Health Secretary, James Murray MP, and the Environment Secretary, Emma Reynolds MP, meet with him urgently to discuss the situation.

Sir Keir Starmer said he “will ensure the detail is looked at and that appropriate steps are taken”.

Mr Miller, who had previously written to ministers and public agencies about the contamination, raising concerns that Environment Agency testing has not gone far enough to establish the full extent of the risk.

He added: “This cannot be allowed to fall between the cracks of Government departments. PFAS contamination is both an environmental issue and a public health issue. That is why we need joined-up action from Government, the Environment Agency (EA) and health officials.

“I will keep pushing until residents have clarity on the risks, confidence that testing is being done properly and a clear plan to prevent any long-term impact on local people.”

Kier StarmerPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Danny Lawson/PA) (Image: Danny Lawson/PA)

Despite this, development on the former site is already underway, with 1,200 of a proposed 13,000 homes built by Dorchester Living.

The developed said extensive remediation works have already been completed in partnership with authorities, including boreholes and testing of groundwater and soils.

It said: “As with many former airfields, the site’s history means that legacy contamination has been identified as a potential risk.

“Our environmental assessments and Ground Conditions studies have already accounted for this, confirming that further targeted investigation is appropriate in specific areas.”





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Banbury pensioner avoids jail after breaking ex-wife’s jaw

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Kenneth Hancox, of Quarry Road, Hornton, near Banbury, was sentenced on Friday, May 22.

The 67-year-old was charged with one count of section 20 grievous bodily harm, threats with a knife in a private place and threats to kill.

READ MORE: Oxford drug dealer jailed after £11k of cocaine found in car

The court heard the grievous bodily harm offence was committed on September 5, 2017 and resulted in the victim having a broken jaw.

The knife threat was committed on December 6, 2022 and the alleged threat to kill on February 13, 2024.

All the offences were committed at the home address of Hancox in Hornton, near Banbury.

The defendant pleaded guilty just before a trial was due to start earlier this year.

He was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment, suspended for three years.





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Oxfordshire landlords warned over Legionella disease risk

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The warning comes from Legionella Guard amid changes to the Renters’ Rights Act and following the UK’s hottest bank holiday weekend on record.

Legionella bacteria, which causes the potentially deadly Legionnaires’ disease, thrives in water systems at temperatures between 20 and 45 degrees Celsius.

Leah Stone, director of Legionella Guard, said: “Warmer weather provides the ideal conditions for Legionella to thrive.

“Water tanks and pipes that are in direct sunlight very quickly become more susceptible to Legionella growth.

“With enforcement tightening under the Renters’ Rights Act, and temperatures rising as summer approaches, Oxfordshire landlords cannot afford to treat Legionella risk as a tick-box exercise.”

So far in 2024, the UK has recorded 472 cases of Legionnaires’ disease.

Under the updated Renters’ Rights Act, which came into effect at the beginning of this month, landlords are liable to fines of up to £20,000 if their property isn’t compliant with new regulation.

In fatal cases, landlords can even be sentenced to time in prison.

Legionella Guard has been developed to simplify compliance for landlords by offering HSE-compliant e-learning, risk assessments, and simple evidence storage.

Ms Stone said: “Our new digital platform is designed to make compliance straightforward, affordable, and achievable.

“It enables landlords to manage risk effectively, protecting tenants and themselves at the same time.

“It’s a simple answer to a long-standing industry need.”

Typical symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease include chest pain, coughing, a high temperature, and breathlessness.

While most people make a full recovery, legionellosis can be a serious condition.





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Oxford Pride slams Oxford University ban on trans women rowing

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Transgender women have now been banned from competing in the women’s category at Oxford University’s rowing team.

The university has changed its policy in line with the governing body’s which states a transgender women cannot compete on women’s teams.

A spokesperson for Oxford Pride said: “There has been no actual change in legislation when it comes to inclusion of trans people in sports, or any other aspect of life for that matter,

“All the ruling did is to specify whether trans women could benefit from quotas to be appointed to public boards in Scotland.

READ MORE: Oxford neighbourhoods ranked from most to least green spaces

Oxford Pride 2024Oxford Pride 2024 (Image: Ed Nix)

“Anything else is beyond the scope of the ruling and simply based on informal and not legally binding guidance.”

Many critics have pointed out the irony of this move considering the pioneer of Oxford’s female rowing uniforms, from skirts to more practical shorts, was a transgender athlete.

Michael Dillon was instrumental in modernising Oxford University’s female rowing uniform in the 1930s, before then going on to become the first person in the world to undergo female to male medical transition, eventually becoming a doctor.

British Rowing policy also says that transgender and non-binary people are eligible to compete in an ‘open’ category of both genders.

British Rowing previously let trans women participate in female events if their testosterone level was below a certain level for two years.

A university spokeswoman said: “The University of Oxford remains committed to being an inclusive university, where everyone is treated with respect, courtesy and consideration.

“This is necessary to comply with UK law, as well as to ensure alignment with competition frameworks.

“The university has met with and engaged with students several times throughout the process, and will continue to engage with them to facilitate boat clubs meeting their obligations in relation to law and governing body requirements.”

The spokesperson for Oxford Pride continued: “Exclusion of trans people is a choice, not a legal obligation.

“Whereas the protection against discrimination on the basis of gender reassignment is indeed an obligation under the Equality Act 2010.

“Oxford Pride urges all public and private groups, organisations and institutions in the UK to continue to include trans people; at least until an actual new piece of legislation (not just guidance) says otherwise.”

READ MORE: Camping club issues seven tips as temperatures set to rise above 30C

Oxfordshire rower Frankie Allen helped Great Britain to gold at the European Rowing Championships. Picture: SportsbeatFile image of Oxford rowing (Image: Sportsbeat)

The Supreme Court ruled last year the legal definition of a woman is based on biological sex.

This means, as the equalities watchdog stated, a gender recognition certificate does not change a person’s legal sex for the purposes of the Equality Act.

The ruling has been interpreted to mean that trans women can be excluded from women-only spaces like toilets and changing rooms.





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