Please see below response from Thames Water to a complaint sent by the Parish Council regarding the road closure on A361:

Thames Water
Customer Relations
PO Box 436
Swindon
SN38 1TU

Telephone:  0800 0093932
Fax:  01793 424291
Email: Customer.Feedback@thameswater.co.uk

24 August 2021

Our Ref: 33476760

Road Repair

Dear Ms Wilkinson

I’m sorry you’ve had to email us about the work which took place in Chipping Norton, A361, on 10 August, under our reference 31660579. I’d have liked to have discussed this over the phone but unfortunately, I couldn’t find a contact number for you on our system. Please can you provide one so I can update our records?

I’d like to apologise for the inconvenience this caused when the road was being repaired, and for the temporary congestion this caused on the smaller, single track roads. Unfortunately, this burst was substantial, and caused damage to the structure of the road. We were provided a permit from the council to undertake the work, which was granted to us until 21 August 2021.

I’ve checked the history of the job, and as you mentioned, the leak was repaired quickly, however, the road repair did take a while. We were working continuously from 10 August to 12 August, when the initial burst was reported to us. After this date there was a delay to repair the road, as we were waiting for resources. From 18 August we received the materials we needed and continued to work through the days of 18 August to 21 August, when the road was then reopened. I appreciate this caused disruption to your village but unfortunately, repairs which effect the roads’ structure can take longer to be completed.

I trust now the work has been completed, everything is back to normal.

Next steps

As there isn’t anything further I can do to assist, and I trust the problem has been resolved, I’ll be closing your case today.

It may be helpful to mention, for all email contact, we’ll respond within a maximum of 10 working days. The quickest way to contact me is by calling 0800 009 3932. I’m usually available between 8am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. If I’m not available when you call, you can leave a message and I’ll return your call as soon as possible, or one of my colleagues will be happy to help.

Contacting us in future

Yours sincerely

Ellie Classey

Case Manager

Customer Relations

For more information on our Complaints Procedure, please click here.

West Oxfordshire District Council is reviewing its provision of litter bins across the district to make it easier for residents and visitors to dispose of their rubbish responsibly, helping to keep communities litter free. 

At the same time, the Council is investing in new litter bins so that older bins, which are reaching the end of their useful life, can be swapped out for bins that are easier to empty and more visually pleasing to help keep towns and villages looking their best.

Currently, the Council manages and empties over 1,200 litter and dog waste bins. A programme has now begun to check the condition of all existing bins and that they are located where they will provide most benefit. Litter bins will also be sited at new locations if a need is identified as part of the project.

In the future, this may mean:

• Where an existing litterbin is next to a dog waste bin, the dog waste bin may be removed as bagged dog waste is now accepted in with the general litter.

• Where two bins are in close proximity to each other and where usage of the bins is low, one of the bins may be moved to another location where there is clear evidence of litter and where no bin is currently provided.

• Residents will start to see a phasing out of separate litter and dog waste bins. These will be replaced by a brand new single bin, which reminds users to put both litter and dog waste into the bin. Over a hundred of these new style bins are already in use in the district and proving popular.

Residents interested in finding out more about the litterbin placement and renewal programme can visit West Oxfordshire District Council’s website for more information: https://meetings.westoxon.gov.uk/Data/Cabinet/20201216/Agenda/9%20Litter%20Bin%20Placement%20and%20Renewal%20Programme.pdf 

Photo shows: one of the Council’s new single bins for litter and dog waste.

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

TRAFFIC REGULATION NOTICE

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT, 1984

 Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, that the Oxfordshire County Council

TEMPORARILY PROHIBITS THE USE OF AND WAITING ON THE HIGHWAY

BY ALL MOTOR VEHICLES

          LOCATION:          Ascott-under-Wychwood, Shipton Road

          REASON:              To facilitate carriageway retexturing

DURATION:          Starting on 29 June 2021.     

                                         The anticipated completion date is 1 July 2021 (date included). Closure will operate daily  09:30 to 15:30

                                         (Traffic Regulation Notices cover a maximum of 5 consecutive days.)

          ACCESS:              Limited access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for frontages within the closed section of road, subject to the progress of the works

The “No Waiting” restriction means that wherever there are in place yellow “No Waiting” cones, you will not be able to park vehicles on the highway.

          SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: via Ascott Road – A361 – Un-named

         Road  (Ascott-under-Wychwood) and vice versa

         Jason Russell, Corporate Director – Communities

                                                                                            Date:  19 March 2021       

To all Parish and Town Councils Served by The Villager,

I am very pleased to announce that, after five months of suspension due to lock down, we will be able to resume all Villager Bus services from Monday, 12th April. Because of the continuing need for caution over the spread of the virus, we shall have continue to operate with only 50% of normal seating capacity. Unfortunately, we are unable to run extra buses as our driver numbers have been reduced by those who still need to remain isolated. This may cause some passengers to be disappointed but we will make every effort to make extra journeys where possible. Please note also that passengers will still be required by law to wear face coverings on the bus.

Yours faithfully,

Keith Gowing

Chairman The Villager Bus

Please click here for more information

TRAFFIC REGULATION NOTICE

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT, 1984

 Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, 1984, that the Oxfordshire County Council

TEMPORARILY PROHIBITS THE USE OF THE HIGHWAY

BY ALL MOTOR VEHICLES

          LOCATION:          Lyneham, Priory Road     

          REASON:              Emergency closure to facilitate repairs to water valve and pumping station

          DURATION:          Starting on 10 February 2021

                                         The anticipated completion date is 17 February 2021(date included) . This is a 24 hour per day closure . (Emergency Traffic Regulation Notices cover a  maximum of 21 days)

          ACCESS:              Will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for frontages within the closed section of road, subject to the progress of the works

          SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE ROUTE:  via Road from Lyneham to Mound

         at Round Pound, Station Road, Milton Road, Shipton Road, Church Road

         and vice  versa   

         Jason Russell, Corporate Director – Communities                                                                                                   

Date:12 February 2021

GOOD NEWS

Following the easing of the lockdown restrictions by the Government, Shipton Playground re-opens on Saturday 4th July.

Please see below the notice explaining how to keep yourselves safe whilst using the playground