Not so much to report this week, just a few updates.
Local COVID-19 Update
For those who are interested in more precise information on infections, area by area, the link below is useful:
https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map
For full details on the rules and regulations visit:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know#high-alert
Flooding and Foul Water
As reported last week, a formal detailed complaint was submitted to Thames Water copying in the CEO. Despite being told that no relief tankers could be guaranteed because of the difficulties across the whole region, within a few hours last Friday evening a tanker arrived in the village and began pumping out from the sewage pumping station, working throughout the night and the weekend. Those directly affected by the foul water, eventually had some relief and a tanker has continued to attend the village throughout the week.
We asked for the water to be tested and the results showed ammonia levels between 1-3 out of 1-6. This means the ammonia is heavily diluted.
We now await answers and solutions.
If you have experienced problems with foul water in your house or garden recently and have not yet passed on any relevant information, then please email me with the details and you will be added to the group of residents being updated on this subject.
Interest in a Village Allotment
Investigations are on-going as per last weeks email.
More people have expressed interest bringing the total to 14.
However the immediate issue remains finding a suitable parcel of land. If you are a land owner and have any suggestions, please get in touch.
Tree Planting
Investigations are on-going as per last weeks email.
Walking Routes
Are you fed-up with doing the same old walks? I have been sent some information by a John Harris who has collated and created many walking routes throughout Oxfordshire. His website is www.walkinginengland.co.uk/oxfordshire where you will find hundreds of walks to download and print, free. It also has books of walks, plus contact details for all the walking groups in the county and much more.
East West Rail Local Update
The Bicester Road that leads to Marsh Gibbon from the crossroads at Billy Evans farm remains closed and the latest information is that it will not open until 12 March as the removal of the bridge and other works have been rolled together.
EWR have also issued a new closure notice for the Bicester Road at Launton (the main road from Launton to Bicester) which will now be closed for some two months from 08/02/2021 to 01/04/2021 for bridge replacement works.
Looking further ahead, Station Road from the crossroads at Billy Evans leading to Launton, will be closed for nearly a year from 03 March 2021 to 22 April 2022 to build the new road and bridge.
The safety report on the new junction at Stratton Audley Park Road and the A4421 has not yet been published and EWR are therefore unable to comment at this stage.
EWR have published their winter News update and this can be accessed by clicking on this link: EWR2 Project Newsletter – Winter 2020/2021
Shelswell Parishes Church Service
There will be the usual 10am service on Sunday morning which will be available on-line. Find it on Facebook Shelswell News Group or YouTube Shelswell Parishes channel. It will actually have been recorded (rather than livestream) to try and get round some of the technical issues they have been having with the signal needed for livestream.
Litter Picking
It is a great time to get out and do a bit of litter picking on the verges of the roads leading to and from the village. As a Parish Council we usually undertake a litter pick in the Spring, but with the vegetation suppressed at the moment a lot of discarded cans, paper and cardboard is visible particularly on the Stoke Lyne and Bicester Roads.
The Parish Council has some litter picking sticks, large waste bags and even some hi-vis jackets for anyone who fancies breaking into their daily walks. Please let me know if you can help and would like some equipment.
Grit Bins
With snow forecast for this Sunday, don’t forget the three grit bins (they are yellow ochre in colour) that are located in the village for use by residents.
Collection Point for Disposal of Ink Jet Cartridges
Please continue to pop your ink jet cartridges into the basket in the Glen Close bus shelter. Please don’t drop larger toner cartridges off as these are not recycled by the RSPB. If you are not sure if your cartridges are suitable for recycling, you can contact Rachel Dewhurst by email at treehouse0@sky.com
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