Crime & Safety
When buses crashed into the Botley Road rail bridge
Passengers on the upper deck had to walk along a low passage before climbing into their seats, while those on the right of the lower deck had to be careful not to bang their heads on the low ceiling.
Many buses were too high to pass under the bridge, and the bus company had to invest in the low-line vehicles to keep services going.
Sometimes, though, things went wrong and buses came to grief.
The picture above dates from 1977 when a Midland Red bus, on contract in Oxford, was returning to the bus garage in Cowley Road after taking workers from the atomic energy plant at Harwell to Stanford-in-the-Vale, near Wantage.
Thankfully, it was empty, apart from driver Barry Pugh, 33, who said: “At first, I thought something had fallen on top of the bus, then I realised the top was being torn off like a sardine can.
“I only travel this route now and again and I hadn’t been told the bus was too tall to get under the bridge.”
At that time, it was believed that the bridge had claimed at least 13 bus roofs since 1950.
The Midland Red bus was 14ft 4in high while the bridge had headroom of only 13ft 3in.
Clifford Fletcher, assistant traffic manager of Oxford South Midland bus company, said: “This is not the sort of incident we like to happen. The bridge is a pain in the neck and is a considerable restriction to us when it comes to planning.”
The crash left wreckage in the road and caused long tailbacks in both directions as traffic was reduced to a one-way crawl under the bridge. Repairs to the bus were estimated at £1,500.
The advertisement on the side of the bus from the Cleansing Service Group was particularly appropriate – ‘Where there’s muck – there’s us!’
There was certainly plenty of debris left in the road after this crash.
The lower picture shows a bus which had its roof completely sliced off by the bridge in 1967.
Notices were posted in bus cabs warning drivers not to use the route. Warning horns and illuminated signs – described as the ‘magic eye plan’ by the Oxford Mail – were put on the bridge.
Later, the road was lowered to prevent further accidents.
Hopefully, there will be plenty of room, height and clearance for buses when the reconstructed bridge and road finally open after the three-year closure to traffic in the summer!
Network Rail contractors Kier installed the new bridge in February and the Botley Road is expected to reopen to traffic at the end of August.
In a statement, Gloucestershire Constabulary said they were appealing for witnesses after emergency services were called to the A429 Fosseway in Stow-on-the-Wold at around 4:15pm yesterday (Saturday, April 25) with a report of a ‘serious’ two vehicle collision.
Information can be submitted to police by completing the following online form and quoting incident 314 of 25 April: https://orlo.uk/f8uNx.
MORE: Several crews fight inferno at RAF Fairford
The collision took place near to Old Quarry Farm, and involved a silver Triumph Trident motorbike and blue Volkswagen Polo.
The rider of the motorbike, a man in his 20s, was airlifted to University Hospital Coventary for treatment to serious injuries.
He remains there at this time.
Several road closures were put in place and reopened during the early hours of this morning (April 26).
Investigating officers are now appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision, or has any relevant CCTV or dashcam footage to get in contact.
Wallingford Accessible Boat Club (WABC) has unveiled its new website and opened bookings for its 2026 season, offering free two-hour outings for disabled and less mobile passengers.
The improved site, developed by Clean Slate Solutions of Woodcote, highlights the charity’s mission to help disabled and less mobile people experience the River Thames.
John Jenkins MBE, chairman of WABC, said: “This is a very exciting time for our Boat Club – the start of the new season is just about upon us.
“Our volunteer crews are all geared up and keen to go.
“WOW-one, our much-loved wheelyboat, has been fitted out with some new passenger comfort features and now we have a new-look website, which is fantastic.”
Clean Slate Solutions, founded in 2020 by Darren and Michelle King, partnered with the charity after spotting its appeal on social media.
Mr King said: “Having seen WABC’s most recent call to arms on Facebook we just had to offer our help to this amazing charity.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure working with everyone at the charity and we hope that their new website helps WABC go from strength to strength.”
WABC operates a specially designed boat that enables wheelchair users and people with limited mobility to board safely and comfortably.
Passengers are even able to take the helm if they wish, with trips including sightseeing, fishing, or simply relaxing on the water.
The new website can be accessed here: https://www.wabc.org.uk/
Joan Haslam, who lives at MHA The Homestead in Carterton, turned 100 on April 21 and received the cards following an appeal from the care home.
Staff had hoped to gather 100 cards for Joan’s milestone birthday, but the final total more than doubled their goal.
The cards came from across the community, including schools, nurseries, residents, staff, and family.
Verity Perkins, deputy home manager, said: “We are all very thrilled for Joan and to receive the number of cards she did is tremendous.
“The support shown to the appeal has been amazing and we can’t thank everyone enough.”
Among the cards was a telegram from the King, as well as a card from Bletchley Park, where Joan worked during the Second World War.
She celebrated the day with her three children – David, John, and Trish – and their families in a lounge decorated with banners and balloons.
The care home arranged a private party and a buffet for the family.
Ms Perkins said Joan opened around 150 cards before becoming too tired, and described the King’s telegram as her favourite.
She said: “Her favourite card by far was the telegram from the King, which she kept on looking at and kept with her for a while.”
Joan’s family also shared their appreciation for the home’s efforts in making the day special.
MHA The Homestead provides residential and dementia care for 68 residents.
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