Crime & Safety
Oxford is now quieter with cleaner air, research suggests
The introduction of 159 electric buses to serve the Oxford area has led to “significant” reductions in air and noise pollution.
In 2023, a deal worth £82.5 million was agreed between Oxfordshire County Council, the government, Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach to fund the fleet of new battery electric vehicles.
Provisional data suggests that bus fleet electrification has reduced roadside citywide nitrogen dioxide (NO2) concentrations across Oxford by an average of 10 per cent from 2023 to 2024, and up to 24 per cent in areas of high bus traffic such as St Aldates and High Street.
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The transition from diesel to electric buses also cut roadside traffic related noise in central Oxford by an average of 5.1 decibels – comparable to the reduction in noise you would experience by moving three times further away from a road.
Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport management, said: “We are proud and thrilled that we were able to back our ambitions with political and financial capital, alongside our partners, to deliver a safer, cleaner, greener, better county for residents and visitors.
“This provisional data shows what a difference these electric buses are making to people’s lives already.”
The analysis was carried out by the National Institute for Health and Care Research which investigated air and noise pollution changes before, during and after the introduction of battery electric buses in Oxford.
In Oxfordshire, the county council contributed £6m and secured £32.8m from the Department for Transport.
This was supplemented by £43.7m from the two commercial bus operators to support the introduction of 159 battery electric buses, across 34 routes in Oxford city centre and the surrounding areas, plus the sightseeing buses.
At full implementation, electric buses account for 69 per cent of daily bus mileage within the city and 49 per cent of daily bus flow.
Luke Marion, Oxford Bus Company managing director, said he is proud of the “significant” contribution by the business.
“The whole community is positively benefiting from this ambitious infrastructure project, which demonstrates what can be achieved when key stakeholders have a shared vision and work together.”
Oxford Bus Company will introduce a further 13 electric buses this spring.
Chris Hanson, managing director of Stagecoach West, added: “These buses are delivering greener, zero emission journeys right across the city’s network, while also offering a noticeably smoother, quieter and more comfortable experience for our customers.
“The response from passengers has been overwhelmingly positive and, just as importantly, this investment marks a vital step towards our pledge to operate a fully zero emission fleet by 2035.”
In Oxford city, air pollution has fallen in recent years but while legal limits are widely met across the city, levels still exceed World Health Organisation global air quality guidelines.
The Wantage Orchestra Spring Concert at the Old Mill Hall in Grove was celebrated as “an inspired afternoon” with the highlight being a recital by 17-year-old Katherine Payne.
The young violinist has been described as a “virtuosic performer” and is in her final year at the Yehudi School of Music.
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She will go on to study violin further once she turns 18 and is the recipient of many prizes including the Celia Walker overall prize.
Ms Payne was the leader of the Thames Valley Youth Orchestra and was playing on a Castagneri violin and a Morizot bow, sponsored by the Cherubim Trust.
Typically these violins sell at auction for between £5,000 and £15,000.
At the performance on Saturday, March 21 there was standing room only with Beethoven’s Symphony no.7 and Rossini’s The Thieving Magpie being played.
Conductor Christopher Fletcher Campbell called it “an inspired afternoon”, with home made cakes made available at the interval
One audience member said: “We enjoyed the Wantage Orchestra concert yesterday.
“Lovely programme, and Katherine was very accomplished. Good to see it so well supported.”
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Another added: “What a wonderful afternoon performance, beautiful sunshine outside and amazing performance inside.
“The choice of pieces brought out the best from everyone and they bought enjoyment to us all. Thank you I look forward to future concerts.”
The group’s next concert will be on Sunday, July 5 at 7pm at The Wantage Parish Church, with more information available on its website.
Originally scheduled to close on April 10, Blueprints of Power at Blenheim Palace will now remain open until May 31.
The decision marks 300 years since the death of Sir John Vanbrugh, the architect behind the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Heather Carter, managing director of the visitor attraction at Blenheim Palace, said: “Blueprints of Power has sparked remarkable momentum, opening conversations across generations.
“The response has been excellent, so we’re pleased to be extending the exhibition to give visitors more time to explore Sir John Vanburgh’s remarkable life.
“From his architectural brilliance to his larger-than-life character, never-before-seen items, interactive experiences and an immersive finale in the Long Library make it a must-visit for history enthusiasts, architecture fans and anyone curious about the fascinating story behind Blenheim Palace.”
The exhibition offers an immersive journey through Vanbrugh’s diverse career, from playwright to architect, and sheds light on his complex relationship with the First Duchess of Marlborough, Sarah Churchill.
Visitors begin in the Great Hall, where models, plans, and letters introduce Vanbrugh’s work, before moving through other rooms that explore his influences and connections.
A highlight of the exhibition is the finale in the Long Library, featuring a projection experience with light, sound, and motion.
This segment tells the story of Blenheim Palace’s construction.
Admission to the Blueprints of Power exhibition is included with a valid day ticket or Pass to Britain’s Greatest Palace.
Members of the public across the diocese contributed their views to help define the qualities needed in the next Bishop of Oxford.
This feedback has informed a Statement of Needs, a document outlining the role, context, and opportunities, and desired qualities for the next bishop, and the character of the Diocese of Oxford.
Rev Canon Geoff Bayliss, chair of the Vacancy-in-See Committee, said: “Our Statement of Needs is the result of a huge amount of work by very many people and gives a wonderful picture of the life of our diocese.
“It was informed by the consultation to which over 2,500 people very generously contributed.”
The document will guide the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) in its search for potential candidates.
Following the completion of the Statement of Needs, the vacancy-in-see committee elected six representatives to serve on the CNC.
They will join six members from the wider Church of England to form the full commission, which is responsible for shortlisting candidates and recommending a nominee to the King and Downing Street.
The Diocese of Oxford covers Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire.
It has the largest number of churches of any diocese in the Church of England, with more than 800 churches in 609 parishes.
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