Archive for category: News

Temporary Traffic Regulation Order – S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure at Chinnor, B4445

In the interests of public safety it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close a short section of B4445 to facilitate Civils work, surfacing work, drainage work, lining work, loop cutting and gully cleaning work .

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Order (TTRO) is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 21 September 2026 up to and including 08 October 2026. This is a 24 hour daily road closure.

(The maximum duration of a TTRO on a road is 18 months and on a footpath is 6 months, or until completion of the works, whichever is the earlier.)

Notice of intention to make the Order will be published in the local press.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

A copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and the alternative routes for traffic is below.

Further information regarding the works may be obtained by contacting Vasim Abuvacar, Oxfordshire County Council on 0345 310 11 11.

The parish council has had a report of an Oak Processionary Moth infestation in a tree adjacent to the play area.

The hairs of the caterpillar are dangerous to humans and dogs and can cause serious skin irritation and in the ‘wrong’ person, anaphylactic shock.

Until we know the extent of the issue and how (and when it can be dealt with), the play area and tables under the trees are, with immediate effect, closed.

The council has put barrier tape up to mark the area along with ‘closed’ signs. Please respect the closure and do not attempt entry.

In explanation, forestresearch.gov.uk says:

“Older caterpillars develop tiny hairs containing an irritating protein called thaumetopoein, from which the species derives part of its scientific name. Contact with the hairs can cause itching skin rashes and eye irritations, as well as sore throats and breathing difficulties in people and animals. The risk of exposure to these hairs is highest in May and June.

The caterpillars can shed the hairs when threatened or disturbed. The hairs can be blown by the wind and they accumulate in the caterpillars’ nests, which can fall to the ground. They can stick to trunks, branches, grass and clothing as well as to equipment, such as ropes, used by tree surgeons and forestry and ground-care workers.

Among the groups most vulnerable to the health hazards are:

• curious children;
• curious pets;
• people who work on or close to oak trees;
• anyone spending time close to infested trees; and
• grazing and browsing livestock and wild animals.”

The infestation has been reported to the Forestry Commission.

After some chasing, the council has finally heard back from the dog waste collection contractor. The bins hadn’t been emptied for two weeks because of the implementation of a new set of routes where operative one thought operative two was collecting the waste and vice versa… with neither making a collection.

The bins should be emptied today (Tuesday 1 September) and the parish will be getting a credit for the missed weeks.

Matters weren’t helped by the contractor having a new telecoms system that effectively locked him out of receiving in-bound calls. That is being resolved too.

Get your electric blanket tested for free by OCC’s partnership group of organisations that includes Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards, Fire Service, all five Oxfordshire District Councils, Volunteer Driver Service and Age UK Oxfordshire.

OCC has been offering this service for 25 years this autumn and from the previous years testing knows it is as valuable today as it was in the first few years.

In 2025 the partnership tested 920 blankets and over 36% failed the safety test.

As part of OCC’s winter safety program, it’s offering free electric blanket testing to all Oxfordshire residents. Ensure your blanket is safe and warm for the upcoming season.

Testing dates and areas:

• September 2026:
  • 21/9/26: Thame
  • 22/9/26: Rose Hill, Oxford
  • 23/9/26: Banbury
  • 24/9/26: Chipping Norton
  • 25/9/26: Abingdon
• October 2026:
  • 5/10/26: Didcot
  • 6/10/26: Barton, Headington
  • 7/10/26: Bicester
  • 8/10/26: Witney
  • 9/10/26: Wantage

How to book:

Pre-book your spot by:

• calling 01865 519800
• go online and book https://service.oxfordshire.gov.uk/blankettesting
• or emailing .
• On-site time slots available from 9am.

Remember, places are limited, so don’t miss out on this essential safety check.

Tea, biscuits and very useful information from partner organisations are available during the testing sessions.

If you can’t come to the listed events, a small number of collections will be made each day.