8IBUµT PO JO OXFORDSHIRE
SOUTH OXFORDSHIRE & THE VALE ‘Bullfinch trial taught us many this week: important lessons’ p5
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Thursday, January 16 - Wednesday, January 22, 2014
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WE MUST FIND THE SOLUTION
County council turns down request to close A338 OXFORDSHIRE County Council has turned down a request from Network Rail to close the A338 for six months, to enable more time for a solution to be found to the traffic problems this could cause. Network Rail applied for permission to close the bridge on Station Road, next to The Volunteer pub, while they carry out electrification work on the railway underneath. Residents have been raising concerns about the effect closing the A338 could have on the Wantage and Grove area, with a possible 18-mile diversion facing motorists. County council leader Ian Hudspeth said: “There is clearly much work to be done before we are at the stage where we can agree to close any roads in this area. “I have met with the route director of Network Rail and Ed Vaizey, the local MP, myself as it is clear that the implications of any closure need very careful consideration for the good of all
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By Adam Flinn and James Booker news@oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
parties. “The county council will push for a solution that will mitigate the disruption as much as possible while this essential work is done. “Network Rail’s electrification project is ultimately going to be of major benefit to Oxfordshire. “Journey times will be improved and we will hopefully feel the associated economic benefits.” Mr Vaizey, MP for Didcot and Wantage, added: “The loss of that route for six months would have been disasterous for my constituents and completely unacceptable, so the decision is very welcome indeed. “I hope to be meeting representative from Network Rail about this project very soon.” Cllr Zoe Patrick, representing Wantage and Grove on the county council, also commended the decision. She said: “This is causing residents a huge amount of anxiety • Continued on page 3
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