Local News

Human operators will still deal with emergencies and complex, sensitive issues Thames Valley Police have introduced an AI Virtual Assistant, known as Bobbi, to answer frequently asked, non-emergency questions. Along with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, they have become the first forces in the country to trial the new way of contacting them. […]

Parents shared what needs to happen to improve the service for their children Banbury’s MP Sean Woodcock hosted a meeting last weekend at the RVS Cornhill Centre to discuss the future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision. The event attracted a larger turnout than expected, reflecting the widespread local concern over delays, under-resourcing, […]

The plan includes building 150 new council homes each year by the end of the decade by Nadia Lincoln, Local Democracy Reporter West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has said it will prioritise its ambition to “build the homes that people need and can afford”, as it looks to boost the delivery of its own social and […]

Fire fighters had to cut one person free from their vehicle With the darker evenings and plummeting temperatures Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has issued a warning to people to take extra care when travelling. It comes after firefighters from Banbury Fire Station were called to a collision on the A361 last Wednesday, which resulted […]

Oxfordshire’s Highways Chief has defended the changes saying they will benefit everyone A local councillor has criticised Oxfordshire County Council for introducing a 50 metre cycle lane on Station Approach, precluding the option of adding drop off and pick up points close to the train station in the future. Councillor Kieron Mallon feels cyclists are […]

The work captivated bidders online, by phone, and in the auction room An Old Master painting which was discovered gathering dust beneath a garage workbench has sold for more than half a million pounds at an auction house in Banbury. The painting of the Madonna and child had drawn national and international interest after being […]

The site is the village’s preferred location for new housing Residents in Bloxham who’ve been worried about flooding from a potential new housing development are invited to a public meeting this evening. The proposed site for 125 new homes at Painters Farm, east of the Tadmarton Road, is included within Bloxham’s new draft Neighbourhood Plan […]

Breakfast clubs for 5-7 year olds have been proven to boost average attainment in maths, reading and writing Banbury’s MP, Sean Woodcock, says he’ll be working with local schools to get their bids in for funding for the government’s new free Best Start breakfast clubs. Applications opened yesterday for the next wave of 500 schools […]

The council plans to invest £5m in temporary housing to prevent homelessness Green general waste bins collected every third week, cutting urban grass verges just 3 or 4 times a year and increasing the cost of the garden waste service – that’s three of the ways Cherwell District Council might balance its books next year. […]

Both sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries Two people are in hospital following a collision on the A361 north of Banbury yesterday evening (Wednesday). A blue Ford Focus and a blue Audi TT were involved in the crash on the Williamscott Hill, between Wardington and the M40, at around 7.20pm. The Audi was travelling towards […]