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Climate Emergency UK ranks Oxfordshire best-performing council for second year
Oxfordshire County Council has been named the UK’s top-performing council for climate action by Climate Emergency UK’s 2025 scorecard. This marks the second consecutive year Oxfordshire has achieved this distinction. The score reflects strong efforts across waste, transport, built environment, and nature recovery.
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Oxfordshire Business Awards 2025 celebrates success, innovation and community spirit
The 2025 Oxfordshire Business Awards (OXBA) celebrated excellence across the county’s vibrant business community at Oxford Brookes University. With new co-chairs Heather Wood and Simon Bassett leading the evening, the event honoured achievements in 12 categories.
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Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service issues warning on water safety
Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service has issued vital water safety advice due to rising concerns about people getting into difficulty in the county’s rivers, lakes, and canals, especially during hot weather. The public is warned of dangers such as cold water shock, strong currents, and hidden underwater hazards.
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Oxford Kidney Unit Trust supports 2025 British Transplant Games
The Oxford Kidney Unit Trust has announced its support for the 2025 Westfield Health British Transplant Games, set to take place in Oxford from 31 July to 03 August. The charity has long championed kidney patients and transplant research.
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Emergency repairs restore Oxford Canal after lock gate failure in Little Bourton
A vital stretch of the Oxford Canal is back in use following urgent repairs to a damaged lock gate at Little Bourton by engineering experts The Rothen Group.
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Estelle Bailey of BBOWT awarded MBE for services to nature recovery
Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT), has been awarded an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours for her services to nature recovery. With a 25-year career in The Wildlife Trusts and 11 years at BBOWT’s helm, she has led transformative projects, expanded nature reserves, and championed community-focused conservation.
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REC chief Neil Carberry appointed OBE for Services to UK Employment and Business
Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), has been awarded an OBE for his outstanding contributions to employment policy and the UK recruitment industry. A respected leader with past roles at the CBI, ACAS, and the Low Pay Commission, Carberry has long championed effective labour market strategies.
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Controversial Watlington Relief Road faces further delay amid planning issues
Plans for the £11.1m Watlington Relief Road have been delayed again as Oxfordshire County Council seeks an extraordinary planning meeting later in July. The proposed road aims to reduce traffic in Watlington, support housing development, and promote sustainable travel.
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Government injects £2.5bn funding into East West Rail connecting Oxford and Cambridge
The government has confirmed a £2.5 billion investment in East West Rail, a major infrastructure project connecting Oxford and Cambridge. The new funds, announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves during the Spending Review, will help complete the line through Bicester, Milton Keynes, and Bedford.
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Oxford City Council confident of funding Cowley Branch Line despite review silence
Oxford City Council says it remains confident of securing funding to reopen the Cowley Branch Line, despite the project being absent from the government’s recent spending review. The scheme, which would add two stations near Oxford Science Park and ARC Oxford, depends on a £20 million local contribution.
