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Traffic cameras won’t enforce new road ban for A40 motorists

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Oxfordshire County Council said drivers have a “legal duty to adhere” to the new rules at Barnard Gate near Witney.

From Monday, June 1, motorists are only allowed to turn left onto the busy A-road after a long running campaign to cut serious crashes at the blackspot.

A spokeswoman for Oxfordshire County Council said: “One of the five principles of Vision Zero is to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on our roads by designing and modifying roads to make them safer.

READ MORE: Boy knocked off bicycle in serious crash attended by air ambulance

“This junction has been highlighted as a high risk due to the collision history and the recognised difficulty in safely performing a right hand turn on to the A40, heading west.

“Work begins on Monday, June 1 to install a traffic island and signage at the junction.

“There will also be signage in advance of the junction to notify drivers of the no right turn restriction, so that an alternative route can be taken.

“Motorists have a legal duty to adhere to the rules of the road and many roads and junctions, like this one, do not have cameras to enforce those restrictions.”

A total of £100,000 has been set aside for the project with the scheme to be monitored over an 18-month experimental period.

There will be no ANPR camera (Image: Ed Nix)

Oxfordshire County Council said the funds incorporate the design and implementation of the scheme, plus future monitoring “so that evidence is captured for an informed decision to be made at the end of the experimental period”.

Safety at the junction has been an ongoing priority for councillors with crashes in the area, including one between two cars and a lorry in 2021.

Brize Norton man Stephen James died in 2011 at Barnard Gate when, at twice the drink-drive limit, he hit an oncoming car on the wrong side of the road.

Jeremy Howell was driving towards Witney with his then seven-year-old daughter, Sophia, when Mr James’ car smashed into them.

Exemptions are in place for agricultural vehicles to “ensure they can easily cross” the A40 as well as emergency services vehicles.

Lysette Nicholls, Chair of South Leigh Parish Council, and Liam Walker, head of the Oxfordshire ConservativeLysette Nicholls and Liam Walker next to the A40 (Image: Liam Walker)

Liam Walker, Oxfordshire Alliance leader of the opposition on the county council, said the new measures will improve safety along the stretch of the A40 between Witney and Eynsham.

A spokesperson for Eynsham Parish Council said: “Drivers should be aware that traffic will not be able to access the westbound A40 at Barnard Gate from June 1.

“This is an experimental traffic regulation order from Oxfordshire County Council and views can be shared online until November.”





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Crime & Safety

Oxford – ‘do not approach’ this wanted man but call 999

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Kalem Paintin, 27 and from Oxford, is wanted in connection with a burglary and a recall to prison.

Kyran McFarlane, aged 36 and also from Oxford, is wanted in connection with a burglary.

Two men broke into a property in Coriander Way, Oxford at around 4am on February 14 of this year,

The victim, a man in his 20s, suffered minor injuries but did not require hospital treatment.

READ MORE: Children ‘left bleeding’ after visit to splash park during heatwave

Officers have already arrested a 36-year-old man from Oxford on suspicion of burglary and has been released on police bail.

Kyran McFarlane (left) and Kalem Paintin (Image: TVP)

Paintin is described as a white man, around 5ft 9ins tall and of slim build. He has short dark brown hair, a short beard and moustache.

He is known to frequent the Oxford area.

McFarlane is described as having short dark hair, short dark facial hair and a scar above his right eyebrow.

He is known to frequent Oxford and Abingdon.

Detective constable Taya Langton, of Thames Valley Police, said she is appealing for the help of the public to locate the two men.

She said she is “very keen” to identify both their whereabouts to “prevent further offending and safeguard the local community”.

“If you see him, please do not approach him, instead call 999,” she added.

“However, if you have information as to his whereabouts then please add it to our online reporting page quoting reference 43260075613.”





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Jeremy Clarkson reveals he was banned from driving by doctor

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Available to stream on Amazon prime now, the first episode of series five of the popular TV show has revealed more details of the former Top Gear presenter’s heart scare.

Towards the end of 2024, the 66-year-old revealed that he underwent emergency heart surgery at the hospital after suffering pains after experiencing a “sudden deterioration” in his health.

Still, a heart attack was ruled out after initial checks at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, with doctors telling him he was “days away” from one.

READ MORE: Inside Jeremy Clarkson’s mega £12.5million mansion

Episode one shows the moment he reunited with farmhand Kaleb Cooper having been discharged from hospital, revealing doctors said no driving for a week and no manual labour for six weeks.

“I was scrolling on my phone, and if I hadn’t been doing that I wouldn’t have had pins and needles in my arm.

“And if I hadn’t got pins and needles I wouldn’t have thought ‘hang on, I’m having a heart problem’ and I wouldn’t have gone to hospital.

Jeremy Clarkson often steals the show on A-level results day (Image: PA)

“Anyway they put me in this big polo mint and they found out I had really bad coronary artery problems.

“You’ve got three arteries that feed your heart with blood to keep it pumping. One of them [was] totally blocked. One of them looked like looked like something dangling from the roof of a cave in the Peak District.

“And one of them had got so clogged up it had formed like branches, so my heart wasn’t getting any blood.

“I said, ‘how close was I to a heart attack?’ and he went ‘days’.

“They put a camera up my arm, across my chest and into my arm, you can feel it, you can see my own heart on a TV screen.

“They thought they were going to have to do open heart surgery, then they went up and realised that actually they could mend it so they got the Dyno-rod out, shoved that in, and they had hammers, chisels, cameras.

“And then they put stents which are like pillow pads and stretch it out, so I should be as good as new.”





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Oxfordshire home for £1.5m sale after cottages knocked into one

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Church End is set in South Leigh near Witney and has been listed on the market with estate and letting agents scottfraser.

Formerly two separate cottages, the estate now features a detached period residence, transformed into one family home.

Current owners have undertaken “extensive renovations and remodelling works, blending character features with contemporary design to create a truly unique property”.

READ MORE: Urinal blocks are being stolen from Jeremy Clarkson’s Cotswolds pub

The South Leith property has been listed on the market for £1.5m. (Image: scottfraser)

The heart of the home is the rear extension, connected to the original house by a glazed link.

This open-plan kitchen and dining space comes with large sliding patio doors opening onto a side terrace.

To the front of the property is a “spacious and elegant living room, full of charm and centred around an attractive fireplace”.

The ground floor also benefits from a cloakroom and two separate staircases.

READ MORE: Edwardian £3.95m country mansion with swimming pool up for sale

The South Leith property has been listed on the market for £1.5m. (Image: scottfraser)

To the rear of the property, accessed from the kitchen or rear door, is a self-contained annexe comprising a bedroom, kitchen, living area and a contemporary wet room.

On the first floor, one side of the house offers two generous double bedrooms and a family bathroom.

The opposite side is dedicated to the principal suite, featuring vaulted ceilings, windows to both front and rear aspects, and an en-suite bathroom.

READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson ‘parties in pub until 4.30am’ celebrating win

The South Leith property has been listed on the market for £1.5m. (Image: scottfraser)

READ MORE: Two Cotswolds towns named among top 50 spots in UK for 2026

The South Leith property has been listed on the market for £1.5m. (Image: scottfraser)

The front garden is laid to lawn with mature shrubs and well-stocked borders.

To the rear is a private enclosed garden, also laid to lawn, together with off-road parking for several vehicles.

The property sits in Council Tax Band G, and those interested should call for further information or to arrange a viewing.





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