Recycling centres get reprieve
Following a strong campaign by residents, particularly in the west of the Vale, Oxfordshire County Council have confirmed that all of the existing recycling centres will remain open.
There had previously been plans to close the Stanford-in-the Vale tip, these proposals were opposed by the Vale after concerns were raised by local residents. The new contract with W&S Recycling will ensure that all of the sites, including Stanford and Drayton will remain open with no reduction in opening hours.
Roadworks alerts
In last months newsletter I mentioned a great new email alert service that allowd you to get personalised updates on roadworks in your area.
Unfortunately the link didn't seem to work for everyone so here it is again, hopefully with more luck this time... oxfordshire.roadworks.org
£99m for new National Satellite Testing Facility on the Harwell Campus
Due to open in early 2020, the new National Satelite Testing Facility (NSTF) will be a world-class facility for the assembly, integration and testing of space instruments and satellites, positioning the UK to capitalise on the estimated 3,500 -10,000 satellites that are due to be launched by 2025. It will also facilitate the build of bigger and more technologically advanced satellites and remove the need for UK companies to use test facilities located abroad.
The NSPF will allow companies and academia to test and develop space propulsion engines, alongside a new facility for Reaction Engines where the revolutionary SABRE air-breathing rocket engine will also be tested and built.
New sports facility for Wantage approved
At the Vale of White Horse Planning Committee earlier this week a new pitch and park area was given planning permission. The scheme by Wantage Town Football Club was supported by Wantage Town Council and will provide a great new facility for the town.
New waste and recycling trucks on their way
£6.5 million pounds has been invested in a brand new fleet of waste and recycling trucks, providing new and improved collections to households across southern Oxfordshire.
The current trucks are now over seven years old and have always been due to be replaced in 2017. As they are reaching the end of their life, they have started to become unreliable with some unfortunately breaking down en-route. In recent weeks, this has started to cause some disruption to household collection services and we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to residents.
The councils and Biffa are working hard to resolve the problem, including drafting in extra vehicles and calling on the crews to work extra hours. In the event of non-collection of waste or recycling, residents are advised to leave their bins out and the crew will be back to collect them the next day.
Missed bin collections can be reported online.
Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan clears challenge
The High Court has dismissed a legal challenge to the process carried out by Vale of White Horse District Council in making the Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan.
The Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan will remain part of Vale of White Horse District Council’s development plan, and the council will continue to use it to make decisions on planning applications in the town alongside the district-wide Local Plan.
Cllr Roger Cox, cabinet member for Planning at the Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We are pleased that the decision of the High Court allows the Faringdon Neighbourhood Plan to continue in effect in its entirety, and as the people of the town voted for in its referendum last November. We are studying the court’s full decision in detail and will reflect on its findings.”
Harwell Link Road update
Work by Oxfordshire County Council on the link road continues with drainage items one of the current priorities.
Traffic news
- Traffic lights remain on the A417 whilst the final items are completed
- On the B4493, traffic lights will be removed next week
South roundabout:
Traffic is now running on the south side of the A417 roundabout. The final layer of tarmac is due to be laid in September. Kerbstones and footpaths are complete with the block paving nearing completion and street lights coming soon.
North roundabout
Gabion wall construction is underway on north side of the B4493 roundabout and on the other side drainage installation and service duct installation in progress. Kerbs are also being laid.
Public spaces protection order for Abingdon
Police in Abingdon have been granted new powers to fine people who cause vehicle related noise nuisance.
The new order, which also includes existing powers to help police tackle alcohol related anti-social behaviour, was given overwhelming backing by the public with more the than 89 per cent of people who took part in the consultation approving the measure.
This follows concerns over incidents in the town’s car parks, where deliberate vehicle noise was causing a disturbance for people living nearby, Vale of White Horse District Council consulted local people on a proposed Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to allow police to fine people who are causing the problem up to £100 if they refuse to stop.