Launton Road CLOSURE for Patching Works 
The planned closure of Launton Road and Church Street over the next three weeks has been cancelled indefinitely.
As we understand it, a meeting took place at Oxford County Council on Thursday morning this week to look at ways to save money across the board, due to additional costs that have been incurred by the authority on Covid-19 at the same time as experiencing a reduction in revenues for the same reason. As a result, a directive was issued to manage any such overspends within the existing budgets as far as possible and the planned road repairs in Launton Road and Church Street became one of the first casualties.
This is disappointing as a great deal of time and effort over the last year went into persuading the County to carry out these works in the first place. In an attempt to take something positive out of this set-back, I have proposed that the time is used to reassess the programme of works. I have previously requested that if the road is being closed for such a long period of time, that the whole road should be repaired right up to the cross roads for the Launton turn-off by Billy Evans farm, as this is in an equally poor state of repair. Furthermore, given the significant amount of patching work that is required, consideration should now be given to resurface whole sections of the road. This might be possible if the project were to become part of a capital expenditure programme to materially improve the value of the asset. It will require a new site assessment and an initial undertaking has been made to pursue this route, although it will inevitably mean a delay to any major improvements until well into next year.
Stratton Audley Barn
Due to the 11th hour cancellation of the planned road closure, the good news is that the café and shop will be open as usual this coming week, Tuesday to Sunday 10-4pm. This weekend they are working hard to prepare their indoor seating area ahead of schedule, ready to serve up a new menu from Tuesday 8th September….you’ll need to reserve so call them now on 01869 278184 to book your table!
Advanced notice of Road Closure – Stratton Park Road
This is still happening as planned!
Notices have been posted for the temporary closure of the road that runs passed Stratton Audley Park to the cross roads with Mill Road and beyond to the road to Godington. The closure will take place from Tuesday 28th September (at 07:30hrs) up to and including 8th October (at 16:30hrs). This closure is for the day time from 07:30hrs to 16:30hrs. Distance of the closure is 1.75miles.
The reason, as many of you know, is for temporary passing bays to be built alongside the road for large HGV vehicles that will be traveling to and from the East West Rail compound at Poundon.
REMINDERS
Don’t forget the Coffee Morning in the Pub
This is now happening every Tuesday at 11.00 in the Red Lion. It is £2 per head for coffee and biscuits. For the time being it is being held in the pub garden because of social distancing, so you might want to wrap up warm. All welcome.
Monday Night is Persian Night
Mitra will be serving up again between 5 & 8pm on Monday and her gazebo will be located at the junction of Bicester Road and Church Street. No pre-orders, just turn up. If you need to contact Mitra you can text her on 07444 364789.
The Red Lion
The new website is up and the place to find out what’s happening www.redlionstrattonaudley.co.uk Alternatively see the pub or village Facebook page or phone 277 225.
Opening hours are:
Monday: closed; Tuesday – Friday: 3-11pm; Saturday: 12-11pm; Sunday: 12-9pm
C0llection Point for disposal of Ink Jet cartridges
A collection box for used ink-jet cartridges has placed in the bus shelter on the Stoke Lyne Road and any money raised from their bulk return will go to the RSPB.
Barb Cabaret Night at the Red Lion – a musical success
A great time was had on Thursday evening with international cabaret artist Barb Jungr performing renditions of songs, in particular by Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen with many amusing anecdotes thrown in. The back-drop of the old stone wall to the rear of the garden was beautifully lit and provided a simple but perfect setting for what turned out to be a surprisingly warm evening.
Some 70 tickets were sold allowing for correct social distancing and Dillie is to be congratulated for staging the show and encouraged to organise another similar event soon!
Around the Village
Last Saturday Stewart Hopkins, Paul Roberts and myself expended a little energy on a few minor jobs around the village. We cleared debris at the bottom of Cherry Street to clearly show the footpath sign and bins and in the process uncovered a fire hydrant! We also leveled out and improved the footpath that leads off the Stoke Lyne Road removing large stones that were potential trip hazards. Finally we installed a vintage boot scraper in the Pound Pocket Park at the start of the Cross Bucks Way. This was kindly donated by Malachy O’Neill. See photos below.
Clearance of debris at bottom of Cherry Street
Stoke Lyne Road footpath
Boot Scraper in the Pound
Foul Water flooding in Mill Road
Emergency work to alleviate the flooding and clear blockages in Mill Road on Sunday 16th was carried out by Thames Water. The blockage was due to what is referred to as “paper and rag”, this can include wet wipes, paper/hand towels, mixed with other items getting stuck in the pipe work.
That’s it for this week.