Tree line in the London Road

Turkish hazel tree

 

The tree felling that has taken place at the Dorset House site was principally the removal of the diseased and decaying horse chestnut trees along the London Road frontage; this work was approved by the Council as part of the landscape proposals. These details include replacement of these trees with specimen Turkish hazels (this is a quite large tree species, not like our native small tree). The three chestnuts were showing increasing signs of ill health and weakness over the past few years and a large limb fell from one of them into the road in the summer; and although remedial tree surgery work was carried out at that time, we’re glad they were taken down before this recent period of high winds.  Development of the site has provided a timely opportunity to secure another element of new tree planting for the next generation of tree cover along this important arterial route into the city (to go along with other recent landscape improvements, i.e. replacement of the root-diseased beech trees that have been disappearing over many years now from the front of the Headington Prep school, with hornbeams; and entirely new plantings of lime trees along the frontage of the main Headington school site, which will hopefully produce an attractive avenue).

Update on Dorset House bus stop

We are advised that the trench outside Dorset House on the London Road (opposite Sandfield Road) will be filled in and tarmacked over on Wednesday 7 December. It is possible that the bus stop will be back in use by tomorrow late afternoon/evening but it will certainly be back in operation by Thursday morning at the latest

We are still communicating with bus companies, county officers and utilities companies to find more effective ways of communicating planned works and their implications to residents and local councillors. This is trickier than one might think!

Inbound bus stop out of service at Dorset House

Photo by Paul Anderson

The bus stop outside Dorset House has been temporarily closed due to the work on neighbouring pavements. This is the stop that people use to catch the bus into Oxford, and is also the stop at which local residents alight after shopping in Headington. This is causing a great deal of inconvenience to local residents, particularly those with mobility problems.

Oxford Bus says that someone was sent out yesterday to investigate the possibility of putting in a temporary stop but could find nowhere suitable that didn’t interfere with traffic lights or provide adequate safety for passengers

Stagecoach confirms that the location of temporary bus stops  is the responsibility of the local council. Oxford City Council informs us that this is the responsibility of the County Council, and there is no out of hours number for the County Council’s Public Transport Dept. on a Saturday.

We have contacted the Construction Director of Berkeley Homes and he is investigating. It appears that the fencing was put in place by SSEB and we’ve left a message for the appropriate County Officer.  The SSEB depot in Oxford is shut over the weekend but we are informed that the works will be completed next week -possibly Wednesday 7th. but this is yet to be confirmed.

What we don’t understand is why neighbouring residents and ward councillors were not informed in advance

Dorset House is at the junction of London Road and Latimer Road. The bus stop on the Sandfield Road side of London Road is fully operational

Change to Library proposals

The County officers’ report on the library consultation can be found here.

Headington Library is still listed as one of the 22 core libraries that would remain fully staffed by council employees and would meet the Council’s statutory requirement to provide a comprehensive and efficient network.

A decision on the proposal will be taken by the county council’s Cabinet from 1pm on Monday 12 December at County Hall, Oxford. A prior meeting will be held to scrutinise the document at 09.00 that morning and members of the public can ask to speak at that earlier meeting if they wish. Please email us if you would like details of how to do this

THANK YOU to all of you who have attended Save Headington Library events and have submitted responses to the consultation!

New Brookes courses for GreenSquare tenants

Oxford Brookes has teamed up with Oxford & Cherwell Valley College and
the Workers Education Association to sign an agreement with Green Square to develop and run a series of courses for their residents.

The scheme aims to involve more residents in planning and to
create opportunities to build their personal and community development
skills. The soon to be constructed social/affordable housing at the Manor Ground will be managed by Green Square.

Coffee with Cops!

Come and grab a FREE coffee with the Headington Neighbourhood Policing Team at Café Bonjour, London Road, Headington and talk to them about any concerns in your community whilst meeting:

  • Thames Valley Police Burglary Team
  • Thames Valley Police Crime Reduction Officer
  • Local Neighbourhood Watch
  • Other Local Businesses
  • Plus other key individuals in your community!

Date: Wednesday 7 December

Time: 11 am till 1 pm

Place: Cafe Bonjour, London Road, Headington

Bulbs and Crafts events for next weekend!

Make Bury Knowle Park Spring Bulbs Beautiful!

Come along on Saturday 3rd December 2 – 3:30pm to plant bulbs.

Come for as long or short a time as you want.

Meet inside the Chestnut Avenue entrance.

Please bring your own tools and gloves.

And………………….

Come and visit the Friends of Bury Knowle Park stand at the

Craft Fair at St Andrews School Sunday December 4th 11.00am – 3.30pm.

Things to do this week in Oxford

Events in Oxford

Christ Church Regatta
23-26 November – The Isis
Novice regatta
Racing from 12pm to dusk on Wednesday to Friday and 9am to dusk on Saturday
Free Event
Christmas Shopping Event (Special late night shopping)
24 November
Meet Peppa Pig – 2pm Westgate, 3.30pm – Blackwells, 4.45pm Clarendon Centre and 6pm Westgate Christmas

Treasure Hunt

24 November – 18 December Treasure hunt around Oxford City Centre. Collect the locations of 6 golden eggs and win some fantastic prizes. Entry forms from participating retailers

Modern Art Oxford

25 – 27 November – Bonn Square
10am – 4pm (Friday and Saturday), 12.30-2pm (Sunday)
Artist collaboration Search Party invite the people of Oxford to take part in a marathon game of Ping Pong. Free Event

A Man for all Seasons – by Robert Bolt, University Church
26 November – Bonn Square, 10am – 14.00
Actors costume performing small segments of the play

II’s-IV’s Varsity Cross Country Match (Oxford University Cross Country Club)
26 November – Shotover
10am – 4pm
Five cross country races