The A44 dual carriageway through Yarnton and Begbroke, near Kidlington in Oxfordshire, is shut for the duration of this weekend, Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17.

A traffic regulation notice was issued by Oxfordshire County Council announcing the road would be shut to all traffic between 4am and 6pm each day, in both directions.

The road works are to ‘facilitate surface sealing works’, according to the order.

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This is a preventative road dressing designed to prevent moisture ingress and freeze-thaw damage, one of the things that causes potholes on Oxfordshire’s roads, to preserve it.

The A44 closure is in place between Cassington Road and the roundabout with the A4095, Grove Road.

A suggested alternative route is via the A5096, the A4260 and A44 and vice versa to get around the road closure, though limited access will be maintained for emergency services and frontages in the closed road.

The soldier died after falling from their horse at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, with the incident taking place around 7pm on Friday, May 15, after exiting the arena.

According to Thames Valley Police, the soldier, who has not yet been named, died at the scene despite receiving immediate medical attention.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King only learned of the seriousness of the incident later.

We are appealing for information following an unexplained but non-suspicious death at @windsorhorse yesterday.

Anyone with information or material relating to this death should get in touch, quoting reference number 521 of today.

Read more: https://t.co/f0koHQ9jiA pic.twitter.com/epuxdy3WDE

— Thames Valley Police (@ThamesVP) May 16, 2026

They said: “While His Majesty and other Members of The Royal Family were present at the arena at the time the incident took place, they were not made aware of the severity of the situation until later.

“The King was greatly shocked and saddened to have learned subsequently of the Troop member’s death, and will be in touch with the family to share his personal condolences.

“The thoughts and most heartfelt sympathies of the whole Royal Family are with the victim’s loved ones and military colleagues at this time of grief.”

Following the tragedy, their display was omitted from the remainder of the Royal Windsor Horse Show programme.

Chief Superintendent Michael Loebenberg of Thames Valley Police said: “We are appealing for anyone with information or material relating to the sad death of a military rider at Royal Windsor Horse Show yesterday to please get in touch.

It is with deep regret that we confirm the death of a member of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.https://t.co/nsAQyvBsnD

— British Army 🇬🇧 (@BritishArmy) May 16, 2026

“Our thoughts are with the soldier’s family and the wider community in the military and at the Royal Windsor Horse Show at this extremely difficult time.

“At this stage, we have not found any suspicious circumstances.

“We are working with the Ministry of Defence, the Defence Accident Investigation Branch and Royal Windsor Horse Show organisers HPower to gather as much information as possible to understand how this happened.”

Jo Peck, event director at HPower Group, said the show would continue as planned without the King’s Troop display.

She said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of the soldier who sadly died yesterday.”

An Army spokesperson said: “It is with deep regret that we announce a member of The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery died on Friday, May 15, following a tragic incident at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

“The family has been notified, and our thoughts are with them at this sad and difficult time.”

Members of the public with information are urged to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 521 of today.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show, first held in 1943 to support the Second World War effort, has long held strong royal connections.

King George VI, the Queen Mother, and the then-Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret attended the very first event.

Queen Elizabeth II was an avid supporter throughout her life, regularly entering her homebred horses and ponies in competition.

The show is the only event in the UK to feature international contests in show jumping, dressage, driving, and endurance.

A hotly anticipated brand new pump track in Harwell Recreation Ground has been under construction since early March, in a project brought forward by the Parish Council and OxTrails.

But the project has been delayed by motorbike and e-bike riders who broke through the site fencing and ‘destroyed’ the hard work of volunteers on the unfinished site.

Harwell pump track (Image: Harwell Parish Council)

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Thames Valley Police’s neighbourhood team for Wantage and Grove said they will be taking action against the vandals.

A spokesperson said: “The Harwell BMX pump track is a brilliant project for local young people — but it’s still under construction.

“Recently, some individuals have been entering the site on electric bikes and motorbikes, putting themselves at risk and causing delays.

“Heavy machinery is operating. The site is unsafe. And the more it’s interfered with, the longer it will take to open.

“We are already in the process of identifying those responsible, and action will be taken.

“This track is for you — don’t destroy it before it’s even finished.

“Officers will continue patrolling, and illegal electric bikes or motorbikes being ridden illegally will be seized and crushed.”

Harwell pump track (Image: Harwell Parish Council)

The parish council earlier said the track is facing ‘significant’ repair costs and will be delayed in opening due to extensive damage to the unfinished track and fencing.

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A spokesperson said: “Despite our best efforts to secure and maintain the safety barrier to the site, they have resorted to bending and climbing the fencing to get in.

“They have caused extensive damage to the track surface and to fencing on site.

“Because the surface isn’t finished and was never designed for motorised vehicles, the damage is serious enough that we’re now facing significant repair costs and a delay to opening.

“So much hard work by local volunteers has been destroyed.”

BMX bikers on another trail in Oxfordshire (Image: OX Trails)

The council said motorbikes, including two green Revvi bikes, were among those to illegally break in.

The site remains still under construction and over the coming weeks, efforts will be made to repair the damage.

Harwell Parish Council has urged people to come forward if they have any information about the culprits.

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“If you see anyone riding the track who does not appear to be part of the build team, please call the police on 101 straight away,” it said.

“And if you know the young people involved, please make their parents or guardians aware of the damage they have caused.

“We’d love this to stop before it goes any further and destroys a facility designed by the community, for the community.”