The UK’s largest water company released a new statement just before 9pm today (Thursday, June 4), alerting residents to potential water loss amid an ongoing incident near Didcot.

Thames Water has provided updates about the incident, affecting Fulscot, the OX11 postcode, having first communicated the issue at 9.30am.

READ MORE: Primary school announces sudden closure after water emergency

A repair crew identified a burst water pipe and worked to dig down to the damaged section to carry out the repair.

However, it has proven a complex repair job – in part because of the “challenging ground conditions” – and the company has promised to provide another update tomorrow morning.

This evening, a spokesperson for Thames Water said: “Our teams remain on site and continue to excavate around the damaged water pipe.

Burst water pipe leaving Fulscot near Didcot in South Oxfordshire without water or a low water supply (Image: Thames Water)

“Due to the location of the burst and the challenging ground conditions within the field, the excavation is taking longer than originally anticipated.

“However, our teams are making steady progress and will continue working until they can safely access and repair the damaged section of pipework.”

Already the incident has proven disruptive with Hagbourne Church of England Primary School having to close suddenly today.

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The spokesperson added: “To help minimise disruption, we’ve moved water around the network to maintain supplies to customers while the repair is ongoing.

“Most customers should continue to have water, although some may experience low pressure and a temporary loss of water for short periods while work continues.

“Thank you for your continued patience while our teams work to complete these repairs.”

The investment at Cothill marks a significant milestone in the school’s sporting provision and a step forward in expanding opportunities for pupils across all year groups.

Cothill, previously known as Cothill House, is a leading co-educational prep school for pupils aged seven to 13 who attend on a daily basis or board.

READ MORE: UK prep school is praised for sport

In March, the school was named “Great for Sport” and awarded Runner-Up for “Great for SEND” in the prestigious Best of the Best Prep Schools awards by The Week magazine.

The national awards recognise excellence across the UK’s leading preparatory schools, celebrating institutions that “go above and beyond in delivering outstanding educational experiences”.

The school said it was delighted to be recognised both for sporting excellence and for exceptional support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), adding that the accolades were a testament to the dedication of its staff and pupils.

Pupils at Cothill welcome the new astro pitch (Image: Cothill)

The new all-weather surface of artificial grass will allow pupils to train and compete in hockey on site for the first time, as well as in tennis and netball.

The facility will provide a high-quality playing surface throughout the year, supporting skill development, safer play, and increased participation in sport regardless of weather conditions.

The astro pitch will host training and inter-school fixtures, boosting the overall sporting experience for pupils and visiting teams.

The new astro pitch at Cothill school (Image: Cothill)

The development also opens up new opportunities for girls’ sport at Cothill.

The availability of an on-site astro pitch significantly expands the school’s capacity to deliver hockey and netball.

This development reflects Cothill’s ongoing commitment to widening participation and ensuring equal access to high-quality sporting facilities.

Rory Griffiths, Cothill’s director of sport (Image: Martin Phelps)

Rory Griffiths, the school’s director of sport, said: “This is a transformative moment for sport at Cothill.

“The new astro pitch not only enhances what we can offer our pupils day to day, but also strengthens our ability to grow hockey and girls’ sport within the school community. It is an exciting step forward and one that will benefit pupils for years to come.”

The astro pitch can be used for lessons, training sessions, and fixtures immediately.

Last year, Cothill and Chandlings Prep in Kennington became part of the Radley Schools Group, in conjunction with Radley School.

Cothill headteacher George May said at the time: “These are the most exciting developments in Cothill’s 150-year history.

“We are delighted that Radley recognises the shared values of resilience and purpose that underpin the educational provision at Cothill, and the commitment we have to a protected childhood, whilst preparing children for senior schools all around the UK.”

The Government has put forward £17m to support construction of an eastern entrance to Bletchley station, on top of a commitment of up to £5m from Milton Keynes City Council in Buckinghamshire.

It will create a direct gateway between the station and Bletchley’s main high street, improving access for passengers and supporting businesses.

READ MORE: Rail bosses launch East West Rail consultation

Bletchley is a station on the first section of the East West Rail line, which will eventually run from Oxford to Cambridge.

The first section is still waiting for its first passenger train, despite being handed over to operator Chiltern Railways in March 2025.

A train which could run for East West Rail locations (Image: Contributed)

David Hughes, chief executive of East West Rail, told the BBC: “We are really pleased to see that funding has now been confirmed to allow the construction of the new eastern entrance at Bletchley station.

“This investment underlines our commitment to working with partners to ensure East West Rail delivers lasting benefits for passengers and communities along the route.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “We are putting the infrastructure in place to create growth in every part of the country, and I look forward to continuing to work with Callum Anderson (Labour MP for Buckingham and Bletchley) to help Bletchley achieve its huge potential.”

Details on delivery timelines and construction phases are expected to be announced in due course.

An eight-week consultation by East West Railway Company is expected to conclude on June 9, and has been offering communities along the route an opportunity to have their say on the latest plans.

Their contributions will help shape the final design of the railway, before a Development Consent Order application for government backing is submitted in 2027.

A spokesperson for Chiltern Railways said: “We have been working to get everything ready for passenger services to begin on the new line.

Dave Richardson, a spokesman for Railfuture (Image: Contributed)

“We continue to work closely with the Government, trade unions and industry partners, and will provide further updates when we are able to.”

Dave Richardson, a spokesman for campaign group Railfuture, said in April at the launch of the consultation: “The Oxford-Bletchley-Milton Keynes section is complete but no passenger trains are running, while the Bletchley-Bedford section is operational but needs a major upgrade.

“The Bedford-Cambridge section is a long-term aim as parts of it will need to be built from scratch while some of it will use existing routes. It’s due to open in the 2030s.”