Oxford News
‘Low or no water’ in Oxfordshire due to hot weather demand
The water company said seven postcode areas across Oxfordshire, three in Hemel Hempstead and one in Milton Keynes are experiencing ‘low water pressure or a temporary loss of water’.
This is due to ‘exceptionally high demand during the recent hot weather’, and began at about 2.30pm on Wednesday, July 8.
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A spokesperson for Thames Water said: “Our teams are working around the clock to keep water flowing by moving water around the network, deploying additional water tankers and carefully managing supplies where they’re needed most.
“We’re doing everything we can to minimise disruption and restore normal service as quickly as possible.
“With another period of very hot weather forecast over the coming days, we’re asking everyone to help by only using the water they need and temporarily avoiding the use of hosepipes and sprinklers wherever possible.
“During hot weather, outdoor water use increases significantly, and reducing non-essential use will help keep water available for essential needs across the community.”
As temperatures are forecast to reach 34C on Thursday and Friday in Oxford, a UK Health Security Agency amber heat-health alert is in place for Oxfordshire until 9pm on Sunday, July 12.
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Postcodes affected by the water issues in Oxfordshire are OX3, OX5, OX9, OX25, OX26, OX27 and OX33.
Supply issues continued throughout the evening on Wednesday and Thames Water promised to issue another customer update by 9am on Thursday.
Households which require extra support during periods of water supply disruption are asked to sign up for the company’s free priority services register on the Thames Water website.
Great Western Railway has said that damage on overhead electric wires has caused mass disruption on lines between Reading and Paddington, with Oxford commuters often using that route.
A spokesperson said: “Due to damage to the overhead electric wires between London Paddington and Reading all lines are blocked.
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“Train services running to and from these stations may be cancelled, delayed or revised. Disruption is expected until the end of the day.”
Indeed, the majority of trains between the stations are delayed and several have been cancelled.
In addition, the railway company has said trains between Gatwick Airport and Reading may be cancelled, due to repairs.
The Rose & Thistle in Haddenham, near Thame, is closed and a community campaign has been launched to raise the necessary funds to buy it.
So far, more than £84,000 has been raised – about 10 per cent of the target – and campaign leaders including local councillor Greg Smith are calling for an increase in donations so that a “tipping point” is reached.
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The Rose & Thistle Reborn group hosted a meeting at Haddenham Village Hall on Tuesday and about 70 people attended.
The group posted: “Amazing turnout at our meeting tonight. By 7pm it was standing room only with around 70 people in attendance.
“Thanks to Greg Smith, Alex Foreman-Peck, Dan Freeman and Keith Handshaw for the presentation about where we are now and what we need to do to get to the tipping point so the rest of the village comes with us.”
The group added: “Join the team. We’re a small team and don’t always have capacity to take up all the fundraising opportunities on offer.
“If you have experience of running events or fundraising from trusts, foundations or high net worth individuals: brilliant! If you‘re enthusiastic and like to get stuff done: perfect! Just get in touch!
“Invite us to your event. If you’re a local organisation, invite us to come and speak about the project. Or if you’re running an event and need a bar, hire our pop-up-pub!”
Former Spandau Ballet singer Tony Hadley, who now has a successful solo career and is performing at the New Theatre in Oxford in November, is a keen supporter of local pubs, and has backed The Rose & Thistle Reborn campaign.
He said earlier: “I am wholeheartedly, absolutely supporting the community of Haddenham in trying to get The Rose & Thistle back open again.
“It’s a fantastic little pub – I have been there many times in the past. We have to preserve our village and small town pubs.”
The singer has urged people to buy shares to back the crowdfunding campaign.
He has spoken of his love for local pubs and in 2024 he backed a successful campaign to raise more than £500,000 to save The Hundred of Ashendon.
The Rose & Thistle Reborn campaign said earlier: “Tragically, The Rose & Thistle closed in 2019 and, while the current owners had hoped to reopen, it is now for sale and at risk of being sold to developers and converted to a residential property. And once a pub is turned into a house, it’s almost impossible to bring it back.
“We’re not here to be alarmist – but we are being honest: this is a time-limited opportunity. If we do nothing, we may lose the pub for good. We need your help to stop it from being last orders at The Rose & Thistle.”
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has confirmed that a power cut is currently impacting around 597 households in the Cholsey area with engineers currently on site.
The situation was first reported to the company at 8.21pm today (Thursday, July 9) with SSEN aiming to restore power by 2.30am tomorrow.
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A spokesperson said: “We have had reports of damage to our network. When this happens, the power will automatically turn off to keep everyone safe.
“Our engineers know exactly where the problem is and are working hard to make the situation safe, repair the wire and get your power back on.
“These types of faults often require extensive work and specialist teams, such as tree cutters, which is why the restoration time seems so far away.
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“If we can restore power sooner, we promise we will do so.”
The statement comes after multiple people in Cholsey reported a ‘huge explosion’ with some saying they could hear it from Wallingford.
Others have reported that fire engines have been seen in the area although this has not been confirmed.
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