Please note that we have been notified by RAF Benson that the timings have been finalised for the Puma and Chinook conducting flypasts over local war memorials on Remembrance Sunday
The flypast over Dorchester war memorial is scheduled at 1106hrs.
Best regards,
Geoff Russell
Clerk to the Parish Council
PAGE (Parishes Against Gravel Extraction) has been campaigning since 2003 & we are delighted to announce that the imminent threat of Gravel being extracted in the 8 Parishes in South Oxfordshire of Benson, Berinsfield, Berrick Salome, Dorchester, Drayton St Leonard, Newington, Stadhampton/Chiselhampton & Warborough has subsided.
In summary, (in relation to sharp sand & gravel in southern Oxfordshire) the recommendation to Cabinet was that the site that should go forward for consultation as the preferred option for allocation in the Oxfordshire Minerals & Waste Local Plan Part 2: Sites Plan is the site at Nuneham Courtenay. This site alone would provide the unmet gravel & sharp sand need in the area until 2031.
The southern PAGE sites of Benson & Dorchester, Shillingford & Warborough were rejected in the preliminary round of site selection ahead of the detailed assessment which resulted in the recommendation of Nuneham Courtenay. This is very good news for Benson, Dorchester, Shillingford & Warborough as they are, for the foreseeable no longer under threat.
However, please note that threat to Parishes in close proximity to the Drayton St Leonard & Berinsfield site has been clearly established in the longer term & there can be no room for complacency.
Therefore, in view of the continued perceived threat, PAGE will continue to work closely with the Parish Council representatives concerned (Drayton St Leonard, Newington, Stadhampton/Chiselhampton & Berinsfield)
For a more detailed summary & a link to relevant OCC documents, please visit the PAGE website www.pagecampaign.org.uk
Oxfordshire County Council has today forwarded a motion of no support for the proposed Oxford to Cambridge Expressway, the public consultation for which has been delayed until after the election.
At the Council meeting on Tuesday 5 November 2019, Councillors voted in support of a motion on the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway, a transport scheme proposed by Highways England. The Council motion stated:
“Given the inadequate response from the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to the concern of this Council regarding the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway, this Council asks the Leader to write to the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government and Highways England in the following terms:
Oxfordshire County Council will work with Highways England on the development of the vision for the English Economic Heartland and the Oxford to Cambridge Arc on the understanding that they will expedite the realisation of the East West Rail Link.
The development of the railway line will ensure the delivery of the growth and housing required, without the environmental impact of a road cutting across the centre of rural England.
Building the Expressway flies in the face of Oxfordshire’s commitment to reduce the use of the car. An action which is necessary to tackle the Climate Change Emergency, which Local Government, including Oxfordshire, has signed up to.
Oxfordshire does not support the building of the Expressway irrespective of which route is chosen.”
The motion was carried with 36 in favour, 11 against and eight abstentions.
Background on the motion
The proposed routes for the new expressway have not yet been decided by Highways England and public consultation is still to be held on the proposals. The consultation was due to be held in Autumn 2019. This will now take place after the General Election.
Further information about the Highways England proposals are here.
https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/councillors-support-motion-on-the-oxford-cambridge-expressway/
We are running our annual charity fireworks display next week and we are still short of a few volunteers for the bar and the food service. We need people between 4.30pm-8.30pm and we need people who ideally can commit to the entire 4 hour shift.
Do you know anyone who might be able to help?
Also: Please do spread the word and help us to make the event a well-attended fundraiser!
Details: Professional fireworks display with gourmet BBQ and full bar. Dorchester-on-Thames Recreation Ground from 5.30pm-8.30pm Saturday November 2nd. All Proceeds to Footsteps Foundation – helping disabled children get the physiotherapy they need.
We look forward to hearing from you,
Thanks for your ongoing support,
The Footsteps Team.
Please note that, according to local media, on Sunday morning approximately 3,000 motor bikes will travel from RAF Benson to Abingdon Airfield. They are expected to travel through Shillingford, Dorchester (via the by-pass), Clifton Hampden and Culham.
For more info see the PC Harper Ride of Respect Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/808546579542118/
Thames Valley Police