Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is partnering with the RSPB to fund biodiversity improvements at Otmoor Nature Reserve in Oxfordshire, as part of its ongoing substation works in the county.

Under its Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) obligations, SSEN has invested in credits to support environmental restoration and offset the ecological impact of its infrastructure upgrades.

Paul Goodchild, SSEN’s senior project manager for the Cowley project, said: “Our investment in Biodiversity Net Gain at Otmoor reflects our commitment to ensuring that essential infrastructure upgrades also contribute to positive, lasting benefits for local ecosystems.

“Working with the RSPB on such a significant reserve is a fantastic opportunity to support habitats that are vital for wildlife, while delivering the upgrades Oxfordshire needs for a low‑carbon future.”

The funding will go toward transforming three former arable fields at the Otmoor site.

Two of the fields will be converted into a wetland mosaic – a habitat known for its high species diversity and ecological value.

The third field will be seeded with native plants to create a transitional habitat, encouraging greater biodiversity across the reserve.

The RSPB hopes the wetland restoration will particularly benefit sensitive and declining bird species.

David Wilding, RSPB’s Otmoor reserve manager, said: “Otmoor is already one of central England’s most important wetland reserves, but projects like this remind us what can be achieved when we have mechanisms and policy in place that bring investment into nature.

“Transforming these fields into wetland mosaic is genuinely significant as this habitat type supports some of our most pressure-sensitive species, including Curlew, Lapwing, Redshank and Snipe, all of which have seen serious national declines.”

The work at Otmoor forms part of SSEN’s wider £200 million upgrade to Oxfordshire’s electricity network.

The upgrade aims to increase capacity and improve long-term resilience as the region transitions to a low-carbon future.

Since August 2025, SSEN has been installing new high-voltage underground cables along Grenoble Road as part of the project.

Work at Cowley substation, where state-of-the-art equipment is being installed, will continue into early 2027.

The project is being delivered in partnership with contractor OCU Group.

SSEN Distribution, part of FTSE-100 energy company SSE, serves four million customers across central southern England and the north of Scotland.

The company is focused on supporting the decarbonisation of the electricity system and connecting new low-carbon technologies to the grid.

At the same time, it aims to deliver environmental improvement alongside essential infrastructure projects.

Mr Goodchild said the Otmoor investment demonstrates how infrastructure development can be aligned with environmental stewardship.

Aftab Ahmad has avoided a driving ban after being caught speeding on the M40.

Aftab Ahmad, 51, of Hagley Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham, admitted driving at 88mph on the southbound M40 between junctions 9 and 10, near the B4030 overbridge, on September 6, 2025.

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He appeared at Reading Magistrates’ Court on April 7, where he was given three penalty points and fined £666.

Ahmad was also ordered to pay a £266 victim surcharge and £120 in costs by May 19.

The court’s decision not to disqualify him from driving was based on exceptional hardship grounds.

Magistrates ruled that a ban would severely impact his patients, who rely on his care.

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Court records said: “The Bench found Exceptional Hardship.

“If disqualified, the Defendant’s patients (for whom they provide Palliative Care) would suffer Exceptional Hardship.

“The Bench exercised its discretion not to disqualify in view of the circumstances of the Defendant’s patients.”

Penalty points were endorsed on Ahmad’s licence.

The offence was contrary to regulation 3 of the Motorways Traffic (Speed Limit) Regulations 1974, section 17(4) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.

The new appointees are Lily Elsner and Emily Howman, who both bring significant expertise in entrepreneurship, healthcare, and science communication.

David Llewellyn, who served as an adviser to the board over the past year, has stepped down to relocate to Australia.

Steve Burgess, chief executive officer of The Oxford Trust, said: “We are pleased to welcome Lily and Emily to the board.

“Their expertise and vision will play a crucial role in furthering our mission to ‘encourage the pursuit of science’ within the region.

“They strengthen our already exceptional board, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all trustees for their continued commitment.

“We thank David for his insight and experience in running start ups which has helped the Board over the last year and wish him every success in Australia.”

Ms Elsner leads Jack Fertility, a start-up based at the Wood Centre for Innovation.

She brings first-hand knowledge of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and is committed to supporting women in business.

Ms Howman is an independent healthcare strategy consultant at Aoraki Consulting and offers more than 20 years of experience in healthcare education and strategy.

She has worked on improving patient outcomes through therapeutic education targeted at healthcare professionals, patients, the public, policymakers, and investors.

Ms Howman also has a background in designing educational programmes to upskill sectors within the pharmaceutical industry and is particularly committed to science education for young people, especially encouraging girls to pursue STEM subjects.

Ms Elsner said: “It is a privilege to join the board of The Oxford Trust, an organisation that is so central to Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem.

“As a founder, I’ve experienced first-hand the value of supportive environments such as The Oxford Trust’s Wood Centre for Innovation.

“I look forward to contributing to the Trust’s mission and helping to champion entrepreneurship and diversity in science and technology.”

Ms Howman also expressed enthusiasm for her new role at a pivotal time for the Trust.

She said: “I’m delighted to be joining The Oxford Trust at such an exciting time with the opening of the new Aspen Building.

“The Trust plays a vital role in inspiring engagement with science and supporting innovation across the region.

“I’m particularly passionate about widening access to science education and encouraging more young people – especially girls – to see the opportunities available to them in STEM.”

The current board members now include John Boyle (chair), Megan Morys-Carter (vice chair), Lynne Pebworth (chair of education committee), David Carr (chair of finance committee), Jude Bennett, Prof Alistair Fitt, Jonathan Flint CBE, Tatiana Grudskaya, Imam Monawar Hussain MBE DL, Nicola McConville, and Prof Alison Noble.