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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Sustainable transport improvement plan approved for Oxfordshire science hub
A long-term plan to prioritise sustainable transport across Oxfordshire’s Science Vale has been approved, setting out a 25-year strategy focused on active travel, public transport improvements and supporting future growth in the region.
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Oxfordshire Youth secures £150k funding to help disadvantaged young people find work
Oxfordshire Youth has secured £150,000 in council funding to expand its Business Guardians programme, helping disadvantaged young people across the county access employment, mentoring and work experience opportunities over the next three years.
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Oxfordshire doubles pothole repair crews after winter weather damage
Oxfordshire County Council has increased the number of pothole repair crews after freezing and wet weather led to a surge in road defects. Extra teams and resources are being deployed to tackle backlogs and improve road safety across the county.
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Public consultation on Oxfordshire fire service future extended to January
The deadline for public feedback on proposals to reshape Oxfordshire’s fire and rescue service has been extended to the end of January, giving residents and businesses more time to help influence future fire station locations, staffing and emergency response across the county.
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Free Oxford park and ride bus journeys extended until March 2026
Free park and ride bus journeys in Oxford have been extended until March 2026 after a sharp rise in passenger numbers, supporting the temporary congestion charge and reducing traffic in the city.
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Ground broken on first new primary school at Valley Park Didcot
Work is now underway on the first new primary school at Valley Park, Didcot. The net-zero carbon school will include a nursery, outdoor learning spaces and modern facilities, supporting families in the expanding new community.
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Council welcomes Oxford Growth Commission interim report on growth and infrastructure
Oxfordshire County Council has welcomed the Oxford Growth Commission’s interim report, praising its focus on sustainable growth, infrastructure investment, housing delivery and skills development across Oxford and the wider county.
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Famous Oxfordshire figures inspire pun-filled names for county’s fleet of gritters
Oxfordshire has unveiled a pun-packed list of names for its 30 gritters, inspired by iconic locals, musicians, writers and landmarks. From Sir Winston Chur-chill to Radiospread, the new names celebrate the county’s culture while highlighting the essential work of winter road crews.
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Oxfordshire selects ODS to deliver UK’s largest cross-pavement EV charging programme
Oxfordshire has chosen ODS to install up to 500 Gul-e EV cable channels, supporting residents without driveways. The project provides safe kerbside home charging and forms part of the county’s wider plan to expand local EV infrastructure.
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Oxfordshire innovation showcase at Westminster brings business and government together
A Westminster showcase brought together Oxfordshire businesses, researchers and councillors to highlight the region’s innovation strengths and the urgent need for improved power infrastructure, transport links and affordable housing to support the county’s fast-growing high-tech economy.
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Oxfordshire Libraries offer free food caddy bags to cut Christmas waste
Oxfordshire libraries are giving away free food waste caddy liners this December to help residents manage extra Christmas waste. The council hopes the scheme will encourage more recycling, cut costs and support environmental goals across the county.
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Nearly 70,000 drainage gullies cleaned as Oxfordshire accelerates countywide programme
Oxfordshire County Council has already cleaned nearly 70,000 gullies under its new drainage improvement programme. Doubling crew numbers and using advanced equipment, the county aims to clear all 145,000 gullies by March 2026 to improve flood resilience and road safety.
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Inspectors confirm effective progress in Oxfordshire’s SEND services
Ofsted and the CQC have praised Oxfordshire’s progress in improving SEND services, highlighting stronger leadership, better communication and improved support for children and families. Inspectors said effective action has been taken but noted continued work is needed to maintain improvements.
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Oxfordshire approves bold 15 year plan OxRail 2040 to transform rail travel
Oxfordshire County Council has approved OxRail 2040, an ambitious 15-year plan focused on electrification, new stations, improved rail links and a more integrated transport network. The strategy aims to support growth, enhance sustainability and improve passenger and freight services across the county.
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Oxfordshire approves major changes to household waste recycling centres
Oxfordshire County Council has approved new operating hours and policy changes for its household waste recycling centres, including a booking system, visitor charges for non-residents and updated permit rules. The revisions follow extensive public consultation and will be introduced from 2026 onwards.
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Oxfordshire launches ambitious local nature recovery strategy
Oxfordshire has launched its Local Nature Recovery Strategy — a bold, collaborative roadmap to restore biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and reconnect people with nature through a pioneering interactive mapping tool and countywide community partnerships.