Oxford News
Oxford in the top 30 for hazardous fly-tipping in England
The figures, released by Oxford waste collection experts BusinessWaste.co.uk, highlight the scale of illegal waste dumping in the region, raising concerns about public health and environmental impact.
A total of 109,015 fly-tipping incidents were recorded in the South East in 2024/25.
Of these, 1,923 involved hazardous materials like asbestos, chemicals, oil, or clinical waste, posing significant risks to the environment and public safety.
Mark Hall, an Oxford-based waste collection expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, said: “All illegal waste dumping is damaging to the environment and local community, but hazardous waste is particularly concerning as it contains toxic, persistent, or reactive materials.
“Substances such as asbestos, oils, chemicals, and fuel are not only more toxic but also often require specialist handling and disposal.
“When dumped illegally, they can contaminate soil and water, release harmful particles into the air, and create safety risks for both the public and council workers.”
The South East ranks fourth nationally for hazardous fly-tipping.
The most-affected area was Spelthorne, recording 104 hazardous waste incidents.
In contrast, Adur and Folkestone and Hythe recorded no such incidents.
Mr Hall said: “If you come across any kind of fly-tipping, keep your distance, don’t disturb it, and immediately report it to the council.”
Oxfordshire County Council’s SEND reform proposals were discussed by its cabinet on Tuesday, June 16.
They include expanding inclusion in mainstream schools, boosting recruitment of educational psychologists and therapists, and creating inclusion support bases.
Sean Gaul, the council’s cabinet member for children, education and young people’s services, said: “Every child deserves an opportunity to thrive whatever their circumstances and this plan sets out how we will deliver better, more inclusive support for children and young people with SEND.
“We are working closely with partners and with families, children and young people who are at the heart of the SEND system.”
Ofsted has previously recognised recent improvements in Oxfordshire’s SEND services, including better joint commissioning and reduced waiting times.
The plan has been developed in consultation with health partners, schools, and the Oxfordshire Parent Carer Forum, and focuses on early intervention, universal and targeted support, and improved outcomes.
If approved, the council will receive a high needs stability grant, potentially covering up to 90 per cent of its dedicated schools grant deficit.
Mr Gaul said: “It’s a vital step towards improving outcomes while making sure our services are sustainable for the future.”
The reform plan is part of the council’s response to national education reforms, including the ‘Every child achieving and thriving’ Schools White Paper and the ‘putting children and young people first’ SEND consultation.
Councils must submit their SEND reform plans to the Department for Education by 19 June.
The former Top Gear and Grand Tour host delivered the update via social media this evening (Tuesday, June 16) ahead of the release of the final two Clarkson’s Farm episodes.
The fifth series of the highly popular show premiered on June 3 and has already seen Mr Clarkson battling a major health scare and embrace high-tech farming.
READ MORE: Popular Oxford United community pub put up for £495,000 sale
Set at his 1,000-acre Oxfordshire farm Diddly Squat, in addition the latest season has shown the television host planning for the first festive period at his pub The Farmer’s Dog.
However, the next two episodes – which will be released tonight – are set to be very downbeat.
On Instagram, he said he had “sombre news”.
He added: “Ordinarily we try to keep the show bucolic and charming and cheerful.
“But the final two episodes which drop in the middle of the night tonight are none of those things really. They are a difficult watch.
“They’re really, really difficult.”
Reiterating that, the episode titles are ‘Reaping’ and ‘Sickening’ and may show the bovine TB outbreak that occurred at Diddly Squat in 2025.
READ MORE: Top UK charity’s £350,000 debts to National Lottery and Amazon as jobs lost
It led to the deaths of several animals.
The first series of Clarkson’s Farm premiered in 2021 and was an instant hit with viewers making stars out of its cast which include Mr Clarkson’s partner Lisa Hogan and farm assistant Kaleb Cooper.
It has been renewed for a sixth series.
AA is reporting that a truck has ‘rolled over’ and fuel is spilling on a major junction connecting the M40 and A43.
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