Oxfordshire County Council News
Browse news and stories about Oxfordshire County Council – the local authority for the county of Oxfordshire responsible for delivering services like social care, education and transport to the county’s 600,000+ residents.
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Have your say on modernising household waste recycling centres in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire County Council is seeking public input on how to modernise and improve the efficiency of the county’s seven household waste recycling centres (HWRCs). Residents can complete a survey on Let’s Talk Oxfordshire until 11 August.
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Oxfordshire road maintenance programme completes phase one on schedule
The first phase of Oxfordshire County Council’s £7.4m surface dressing programme has successfully concluded, covering 938,336sqm of roads across 70 towns and villages. Despite minor weather-related delays, crews completed the works on schedule.
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Oxford’s Race for Life 2025: What to know about road closures and parking restrictions
Oxford city centre will play host to thousands of runners this month as the Race for Life returns on Sunday 29 June 2025 – bringing with it a series of road closures, parking suspensions, and traffic measures
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Oxfordshire’s new active travel and cycling champion seeks residents’ views
Councillor Emily Kerr has been appointed Oxfordshire County Council’s new active travel and cycling champion. Representing Oxford’s Bartlemas division, she’s calling on residents to share their views to help improve walking and cycling across both urban and rural areas.
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Thames towpath near Abingdon Road to be closed for essential riverbank repairs
A key section of Oxford’s Thames towpath, between Folly Bridge and Donnington Bridge off Abingdon Road, will be closed from late June to late September 2025 for urgent riverbank repair to prevent erosion and preserve the route.
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Oxfordshire County Council addresses national SEND crisis in Parliament
Oxfordshire County Council has submitted written evidence to the Parliamentary Education Select Committee’s inquiry into the national SEND crisis. Despite soaring costs, outcomes for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) remain stagnant.
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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 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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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.
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Petition against Oxford’s £5 congestion charge gains 6,500 signatures in three days
A petition opposing Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed £5 congestion charge has gained nearly 6,500 signatures in just three days. The charge, targeting key roads between 7.00am and 7.00pm, is part of a temporary plan ahead of a traffic filter trial. Critics call it “unfair,” citing the current cost of living.
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Oxfordshire Museum launches journey through the major Ice Age exhibition
The Oxfordshire Museum is launching a major summer exhibition, Ice Age: Mammoth Quest. Visitors can explore dramatic Ice Age climate shifts, dress as ancient animals, and try hands-on archaeology in this family-friendly event features rare artefacts, including remains from Europe’s last known mammoth.
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County council has launched a consultation on new part-night street lighting proposals
The consultation, open until 06 July on the council’s Let’s Talk Oxfordshire platform, focuses on how part-night lighting would be implemented rather than where it might be introduced.
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Bus operators welcome council’s review of Oxford congestion measures
Bus companies have welcomed Oxfordshire County Council’s plans to explore temporary congestion-busting measures, including a £5 daily charge for drivers on six key routes across the city.
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Lib Dems defend congestion charge plans after criticism over election silence
The Liberal Democrats are under fire for failing to mention plans for a £5 congestion charge during their successful Oxfordshire County Council election campaign.