Crime & Safety
Oxfordshire: Pothole campaigner to create a ‘Pothole Army’
Mark Morrell, better known as Mr Pothole, has spent more than 13 years raising awareness about the state of Britain’s roads.
The newly launched website aims to “publish the truth” about what many road users now describe as a “Pothole Armageddon.”
Mr Morrell said: “The potholes in Oxfordshire are some of the worst in the country due to decades of disappointment from the council.”
His observations follow a formal complaint he made about the condition of Hook Norton Road in Oxfordshire, which he has labelled particularly dangerous.
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The website seeks to challenge political messaging and official statements that suggest the condition of roads is improving, despite daily evidence to the contrary experienced by motorists, cyclists, and bus passengers across the country.
One of the central aims of the site is to expose the true scale of the crisis using evidence gathered over more than a decade of research and campaigning.
It will also highlight the growing maintenance backlog facing local authorities.
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The platform will hold decision-makers to account over transport spending priorities and continue to push for long-term investment in Britain’s highway infrastructure.
In addition, it aims to amplify the voices of road users in discussions about road maintenance.
The website isn’t just a source of information, it’s also designed to empower the public with practical tools and support.
Users will find guidance on the legal responsibilities of highway authorities, road users’ rights, and detailed instructions on invoking Section 56 of the Highways Act.
Section 56 allows members of the public to legally challenge a highway authority when a road is deemed “out of repair.”
If successful, it can result in a court order requiring the authority to carry out repairs.
The website offers template notices and documents, advice on gathering evidence, and details on how to formally challenge authorities over neglected road conditions.
Mr Morrell believes the site will help inform and mobilise what he describes as a well informed Public Pothole Army.
He points to Oxfordshire as an example of long-term neglect.
Mr Morrell said: “The fact of the matter is they simply just aren’t doing their job properly anymore; there isn’t any money or resources for the council to do better.”
He hopes the new platform will bridge the gap between public experience and political action, making it harder for officials to downplay or ignore the issue.
By giving road users the tools to hold authorities to account, Mr Morrell believes the tide can finally begin to turn on Britain’s pothole problem.
St Hilda’s College completed the purchase of Stonemason House, 145 to 146 Magdalen Street, on Friday, May 29.
The building was purchased by the college from a vendor represented by Allsop.
It is being used for student accommodation with plans to house 44 St Hilda’s graduate students from October 2027.
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Stonemason House allows the College to house roughly 50 per cent of its graduate students, in addition to all undergraduates.
This then relieves some of the strain on the private rental market, says St Hilda’s College.
Bursar Chris Wood said: “The acquisition of Stonemason House is a landmark moment for St Hilda’s.
“It advances our commitment to providing accommodation for nearly half of our graduate students and represents a significant investment in the College’s long-term future.”
The future graduate accommodation has been placed to complement the College’s existing accommodation in Cowley Road and Iffley Road.
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This lively area of the city is popular with students and young professionals thanks to the wide variety of local restaurants and bars.
It is also within walking distance of the College on Cowley Place.
A statement regarding accommodation from St Hilda’s College reads: “We allocate accommodation for new graduates on a first-come, first-served basis once funding has been confirmed.
“We own several graduate houses where we can offer rooms to most first-year and some second-year graduates who want them.
“Many choose to rent privately. We have a small number of rooms for couples, but do not have accommodation suitable for families.”
According to the Met Office, the rain is expected for the rest of the afternoon (Tuesday, June 2), much of Wednesday and Thursday with a cloudy break on Friday.
On Wednesday, temperatures are to feel like 14C – nothing like the 30C-plus weather last week – with a 40 per cent chance of rain from 7am.
There are no thunderstorm warnings or flood alerts issued for any of Oxfordshire.
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The sudden change in the skies comes after the Met Office on Monday, June 1 said the UK had the warmest spring on record.
The mean average temperature in England across March, April and May was 10.41C, beating the previous record of 10.23C set in 2025, according to provisional figures from the Met Office.
It is the third year in a row that a new record has been set for the warmest spring in England.
Met Office scientist Dr Emily Carlisle said: “This spring highlights both the natural variability of the UK’s weather and the longer-term warming we are observing.
“While conditions varied through the season, all three months of meteorological spring recorded mean temperatures within the UK’s top 10 warmest on record.
“While we expect fluctuations from year to year, this spring shows some of the changes we’re seeing in our weather patterns, with more extreme conditions becoming more frequent.
“The fact that nine of the 10 warmest springs in England have occurred since 2007 illustrates this ongoing shift in the UK’s climate.”
The Hawkstone Farmers Choir, made up of 34 agricultural workers from across the UK, became the first choir ever to win the ITV competition over the weekend.
They took home the £250,000 prize and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance after moving viewers and judges alike with their original song, This Is Home.
James Florey, from Northmoor, said: “Singing together, sharing stories, and having a laugh has been incredibly uplifting.”
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The fourth-generation farmer at Churchill’s Farm manages 500 acres of beef cattle and sheep alongside environmental stewardship and educational school visits.
He added: “In many ways it has almost felt like a form of therapy—an opportunity to talk, connect and support one another, while doing something completely different from the usual demands of farm life.”
Beyond the stage, the group plans to use their new platform to continue championing rural wellbeing and celebrating the resilience of British farming.
Abbie Condon, a specialist in Red Tracto farm assurance from Witney, said: “It boosted my confidence and keeps giving me amazing experiences to look forward to.”
She added it is a “privilege to be able to project British agriculture into the face of the nation”.
In line with their mission, the choir has committed to donating a significant portion of the £250,000 prize money to agricultural mental health charities.
David Smith, a retired seed specialist from Middleton Cheney near Banbury, said: “The choir has meant to me pure enjoyment and meeting old customers and colleagues and making new friends.”
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