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Doctor upset by ‘ban’ at Oxfordshire recycling centre

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Dr Daniel Emlyn-Jones was annoyed to discover he could not walk in at Redbridge recycling centre in Old Abingdon Road, Oxford, to recycle some old wooden pallets.

Now he is urging Oxfordshire County Council to create a designated pathway for pedestrians as only cars and bikes can use the centres at the moment.

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Dr Emlyn-Jones, who lives in Oxford, said: “Since I do not own a car and my rubbish is ineligible for bulky waste collection, I was all set to walk to Redbridge recycling centre the other day, rubbish in a trolley, when I discovered that pedestrians are banned from the place.

“Bicycles fine, cars fine, pedestrians no. This edict seems especially bizarre since the centre is full of people milling around on foot in order to put their rubbish in the appropriate skip.

“Oxford is rightly discouraging car use in increasingly elaborate ways, so why on earth are pedestrian recyclers such as myself being excluded like this?

“Fortunately a neighbour is helping me, but such restrictions on rubbish disposal will simply drive people to illegal rubbish collection companies which fly-tip and create illegal garbage mountains such as the one in Kidlington.”

Dr Daniel Emlyn-Jones (Image: Andy Ffrench)

Dr Emlyn-Jones added: “How much effort would it take to create a designated pathway for pedestrians?

“The county council has introduced LTNs (Low Traffic Neighbourhoods) and the congestion charge. It should be doing more to encourage pedestrians.”

Redbridge recycling centre in Oxford (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

A county council spokesman said: “Pedestrians are not permitted to enter any of Oxfordshire’s waste and recycling centres. There are no segregated walkways to enable pedestrians to enter and exit the sites safely.

“Cyclists can use the site, and you can visit with a bike trailer too.

“Some districts provide recycling containers, such as those located in supermarket car parks or community centres. These often collect similar items to household waste recycling centres and are often more easily accessible on foot.

“Some shops also offer collection points for more specific items like printer cartridges, Brita filters, and some lightbulbs.”

The county council operates seven household waste recycling centres including Redbridge household waste recycling centre, next to Redbridge park-and-ride in Oxford.

The centre is expected to close for three months this summer for safety work.

A spokesperson for the county council said earlier: “Redbridge HWRC will close during the summer for a period of three months. The exact date of closure will be confirmed as soon as possible.  

“The safety works are primarily for ground stabilisation. This will involve the installation of corrugated steel sheet piling along the east and west of the site embankments, along with some other concrete repair works.”





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Jeremy Clarkson among famous men backing cancer treatment

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English actor and broadcaster Peter Duncan, 72, who has written and directed pantomimes for Oxford Playhouse, is urging health authorities to approve focal therapy more broadly across the UK.

Mr Duncan, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2019, called the treatment “life-changing” after it successfully targeted the cancerous part of his prostate with minimal side effects.

Jeremy Clarkson is some of a few famous faces who have received focal therapy for prostate cancer (Image: PA)

Other public figures who have received focal therapy include Jeremy Clarkson and former prime minister Lord David Cameron.

Mr Duncan said: “I was originally offered a radical prostatectomy which would have removed the whole prostate, but I was lucky enough to be treated with focal therapy which was better for me and a less invasive option.

“It was a complete success, and I’ve only experienced very minor after-effects, allowing me to continue with my life as before.”

The treatment is backed by Prostate Cancer UK, which is urging the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) to review and approve the treatment for wider use on the NHS.

Peter Duncan received prostate cancer therapy accessed by Jeremy Clarkson (Image: Alistair Wilson)

Amy Rylance, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Without a timeline from Nice, we simply don’t know how long men will have to wait for approval on the NHS.”

A recent report from Imperial College London found focal therapy is as effective as radiotherapy or surgery but carries a much lower risk of incontinence or erectile dysfunction.

One in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.





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Criminal broke into Oxford home and slept in owner’s bed, court hears

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Richie Reeves broke into the home in Westminster Way on January 12 this year.

Oxford Crown Court heard how the 33-year-old, of Bristow Close, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, spent the night there and then stole some pants and socks before leaving.

As well as this, Reeves was sentenced, on August 6, for stealing bank cards in various locations and then using them to buy things for himself.

Reeves stole a bank card, wallet and cash belonging to John Keen in Oxford on January 17.

READ MORE: Oxford University student from China found dead at accommodation

Richie Reeves (Image: TVP)

He also stole bank cards belonging to Gordon Boland and Aya Zemzam in Milton Keynes in April.

Using the bank cards, the total he spent was £586.87.

Judge Maria Lamb said: “You broke into a young man’s home. You slept in his bed and helped yourself to his belongings.

“The feeling of intrusion to that young man must have been very significant. You were a rough sleeper and entrenched in substance misuse.

“You are now beginning to realise the impact of your offending on other people. It has had an enduring impact. You are now seeking to turn things around.”

Reeves was jailed for a total of 16 months.

The judge added: “I hope you build on the work you are doing already.”





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Second weapon unveiled by police to combat e-scooters and e-bikes

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It was reported earlier this week that Southampton’s officers had started using DeterTech’s SmartTag spray.

This can be fired from a handheld canister over distances of up to 10 metres, coating riders, clothing and bikes with an invisible marker.

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The spray is only detectable under ultraviolet light and carries a unique forensic code linked to the specific canister used, allowing investigators to match a suspect to a particular incident weeks or even months later.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary says the technology gives officers a safer tactical option when dealing with motorcycles, e‑bikes and e‑scooters being used in crime or anti‑social behaviour, reducing the need for risky pursuits or close confrontation.

The move comes amid growing complaints about riders using powered two‑wheelers on pavements and in public spaces, and follows similar trials by Dorset Police and other forces to tag offenders rather than chasing them through busy streets.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire shop to permanently close with all products now £1

Thames Valley Police has told this newspaper this week that a second spray is being used in Oxfordshire and across the region.

The DNA tagging spray from SelectaDNA acts in a similar way and is also being used to combat e-bikes and e-scooters.

TVP, which covers Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire, has already seized more than 100 illegal machines in recent operations and warned that privately owned e‑scooters used on public roads risk fines, penalty points and confiscation.





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