Polling Day is 6th May
Another packed newsletter with quite a lot of new information for this Bank Holiday weekend.
A milesstone has been reached!
This is the 60th edition of this newsletter, introduced to help keep everyone informed at the start of the Covid epidemic. It has been well received and the database now comprises of some 220 email addresses although there is a little doubling up as some families have two emails. Given that there are about 190 dwellings in the Parish we can be confident that we are covering off most households, and this means we can save on paper and time by cutting down on door drops in the future.
Nevertheless there are probably a dozen or more households that are missing out, so if you know someone who fits this category, either print out a copy for them, or if they have an email let me know if they would like to be added.
The idea is to continue with the newsletter but on a reducing level, fortnightly or monthly, depending on relevant news stories.
Annual Meeting of the Parish – IMPORTANT – Date to be decided
This is a meeting organised by the Parish Council on behalf of the whole Parish and is not to be confused with the Annual Parish Council Meeting. It is a chance for those who wish to speak about any relevant subjects to do so in a public forum. It was not held last year due to the Pandemic and there have been doubts as to how and when it would be held this year. The date is likely to be in the second half of May in the Church.
Would those who think they might like to attend, please send me an email so we can be sure about numbers given that social distances will still be in place.
There is sperately the Annual Parish Council Meeting next week on Wednesday 5th May at 7pm and this will be the last meeting to be held via Zoom under the current rules. Anyone wishing to join should email the Clerk at strattonaudley.parishcouncil@gmail.com
Bank Holiday Monday Night with Mitra’s Persian Food
Mitra will be with us again on Monday, despite it being a Bank Holiday. She will be serving up her delicious Persian food, at the junction in the centre of the village from about 5pm until dusk.
Just turn up or text her in advance if you have a large order on 07444 364789.
If you want to bring your own container or pot to save on plastic waste, please do so.
Polling Day Thursday 6th May
The pub will be open for polling from 7am to 10pm. No drinks at this stage!
Stratton Audley Barn
The Barn gift shop is now open as well as the café from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Offering outside seating in the open or in the marquee for breakfast, lunch, coffee, cake and home-made ice cream. Booking for lunch is recommended. All of these activities are conducted under the latest Government guidance for social distancing. More information on www.strattonaudleybarn.co.uk or Facebook Stratton Audley Barn .
Bicester Motion Plans for the Automotive Experience
Bicester Motion has submitted a planning application for its Experience Centre, ref: 21/01224/OUT. You can view this application and supporting documents at the District Website: https://planningregister.cherwell.gov.uk/Planning/Display/21/01224/OUT.
The application is for an Automotive Experience Quarter comprising Commercial, Business and Services uses (Class E), Light Industrial (Class B2), Local Community and Learning Uses (Class F) and vehicle circuits (Sui Generis) with all matters reserved aside from that of access.
As you would expect, there are masses of documents but I would urge those who feel this may have an impact on the community to take some time to look at the application. Parish Councillors will be reviewing this next week at the PC meeting. Points of concern are most likely to relate to noise levels from the track, additional traffic congestion with a second access road being opened up, road safety concerns at the Bicester Road junction off the A4421 leading to the village, and the lack of a cycle and pedestrian route.
The deadline for comments is currently 27th May, though this seems pretty tight given that the application has only just gone up on the portal in the last few days. An extension may be sought.
Oxford County Council is also being consulted and any comments regard County Highway matters should also be sent to them at planningconsultations@oxfordshire.gov.uk . Currently their deadline is 11th May and again an extension may be needed.
East West Rail Advanced Road Closure Notices
Stratton Audley Park Road from the crossroads with Mill Lane to the junction with the A4421
A temporary Notice is being made by East West Rail Alliance to implement the temporary closures and will operate from the 29 May 2021 up to and including the 30 May 2021 whilst HS2 works are carried out.
Stratton Audley Park Road from the Mill Lane crossroad to Poundon.
Subsequently there will be a further temporary closure of the road that leads in the opposite direction to Poundon from 5 June 2021 up to and including 6 June 2021
The diversion route will be Mill Road-Launton Road-Main Street and vice versa
Further information regarding the works may be obtained from East West Rail website, contact@eastwestrail.co.uk or phone 0330 1340067
Additionally, you should have received notification by Network Rail of weekend closures on the same road between Godington and Poundon which run from 8th May until 23rd May, from 7am to 6pm.
Finally, a reminder that Station Road (from the crossroads with Launton Road) that leads to Launton is now closed and will remain so for about a year.
EWR Stratton Audley Park Road Junction with A4421
We have been advised that the safety report itself will not be shared with the community and no specific reasons are being given as to why this is the case. That said, we have been given a summary of the key recommendations agreed between EWR designers and OCC
The remedial works include:
- Relocate direction signing in north/west verge of A4421
- Add a 2nd ‘keep-left’ bollard in the splitter island facing oncoming traffic from the side road
- Resurface the “damaged/worn” surface course
- White lining – move the ‘give-way’ line forward and add additional hatched markings in centre of minor road around the splitter island.
East West Rail 2nd Non Statutory Consultation
EWR have just launched the next stage of public consultation. They are inviting
comments from all interested parties including the public.
Two of the key areas of focus for the consultation in our area are:
- How to improve Oxford Station and its supporting infrastructure - including Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village stations
- Options for avoiding lengthy periods of delays at the London Road level crossing, Bicester (there are six options for this crossing all of which propose tunnels or bridges).
You can share your views using the online feedback form available on their website at www.eastwestrail.co.uk, by emailing your comments to them at consultation@eastwestrail.co.uk or writing via FREEPOST East West Rail.
Alternatively, you can request a paper copy of the feedback form to be sent to you online at www.eastwestrail.co.uk, by emailing them at contact@eastwestrail.co.uk or by calling on 0330 134 0067.
The closing date for the consultation is 9 June 2021.
Stratton Audley Church
The Church is once again open during the day for private prayer and reflection. It is no longer necessary to book for services, though masks and hand sanitising will still be required and social distancing will be strictly observed.
There is a service of Compline in Godington Church this coming Sunday (2nd May) at 6pm. The next service in Stratton is the Ascension Day service on Thursday 13th May (6pm).
The next monthly Muddy Church (Stoke Lyne Churchyard, not Stoke Lyne Road) get together is on 16th May.
You can find all the details of services in the benefice on the website www.shelswellparishes.info
The Red Lion
No further news. The aim is still to try and open on 17th May.
Lost Walkie-Talking
The lost walkie talkie as reported by Carolyn Goss was reunited with its owner, thanks to publicising in the newsletter last week.
….and some reminders from previous notices:
New FREE Bus Service Exclusively for the village
Please don’t forget to try the free bus service into Bicester which is now in operation two times a week on Tuesday and Thursday.
If we want to keep the service it is important that it is used regularly so please spread the word particularly to your neighbours who may not receive this newsletter.
Pick up in Stratton Audley
10:46 – Bus Stop Adjacent to Glen Close
10:49 – Bus Stop Bicester Road
Drop off
11:00 – Sainsburys, Bicester
Pick Up in Bicester
1:00 – Sainsburys, Bicester
Drop Off
1:10 – Opposite Bus Stop Bicester Road
1:14 – Opposite Bus Stop Adjacent to Glen Close
Resurfacing of Launton Road
The major resurfacing works that were postponed last year have now been scheduled in for August (provisionally 9/8/21). The works to Launton Road & Church Street will result in the closure of the roads except for access and this will be done in sections.
OCC are very aware of the dangerous state of parts of the Launton Road and interim interventions will be required before August. Fixmystreet is still the best way for all of us to report any matter (not just potholes) to do with Highways https://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk
Calling All “Baby Lambs”
For those who are new to the village and have a baby who isn’t yet mobile, Little Lambs has started up again with “Baby Lambs”.
Although for the moment restrictions limit what can be done, the organiser’s would love to see you. It is every Wednesday in the Stratton Audley Church from 10am – 10.45am (Term Time)
Contact Jen Iddon via jeniddoncfw@gmail.com
Jen who organises it says:
- We need to stay in our own bubbles
- Bring our own drinks and snacks
- Bring your own baby mat / toys
- Any toys must be kept in our own bubbles
- We cannot mix (hence babies not toddlers)
- Max 15 people, but just turn up as we’re not expecting many to start with
- Story, Chats and Prayers.
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
Covid-19 Update
The governments ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England can be found via this link:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021/covid-19-response-spring-2021-summary
For those who are interested in more precise information on infections, area by area, the link below is useful: