FFRREE EE IN INSSIIDE
Make your next move
CENTRAL OXFORDSHIRE Inside ‘Give them a fitting this week: final resting place’ p2 Thursday, November 14 - Wednesday, November 20, 2013
www.oxfordpropertyw eekly.co.uk
Find us on Twitter @OxfordGuardian Like us on www.facebook.com/OxfordshireGuardian
Established 1988 Issue No.
1,240
Thursday, November 14 - Wednesday, Novem ber 20,
2013
FREE Please take a copy
Advertising/Newsdesk: 01235 511700
www.oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
BUS SERVICES ‘ARE AT RISK’ Council say service review is part of routine procedure War veteran makes TV appearance
See page 6
BUS routes in parts of the county could be at risk, according to community group Bus Users comm UK O Oxford. Oxfordshire County Council Oxfo reviews its bus services every six review years, in order to see where savyears ings ccould be made or where new routes could be introduced. route As a result, this could mean that sseven routes in West Oxfordshire are withdrawn and 17 others reduced. Routes under threat include the 23A, 113, 233, 811, C1, T1 and X9, while those potentially facing reductions are the 11, 18, 19, 64, 203, 213, 214, 215, 220, 223, 224, 224A, 233, 242, 242A, W3 and X8A. Hugh Jaeger, spokesperson for Bus Users UK Oxford, said: “You cannot withdraw or reduce two dozen bus routes and then expect more parents to send their children to school on those services that you have just cut. “Fewer people use reduced se services, so the subsidy per passenger is more likely to go pa up than down. ““This creates an excuse for further service cuts, until fo
By Adam Flinn adam@taylornewspapers.co.uk
these bus routes wither away completely.” A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “Reviews of subsidised bus services take place routinely in each part of Oxfordshire once every six years. They are set up to review current contract arrangements and assess whether those services covered by these contracts need amending. “By this process, some bus services are created, some are discontinued and others altered based on passenger numbers using services. “The subsidised bus review in West Oxfordshire is no different, and would have been due to take place at this time regardless of the fi nancial climate.” The public has until tomorrow to submit comments to the county council about the proposed cuts to buses in West Oxfordshire. Visit the county council website for more information.
Christmas Light Festival 22nd-24th November 2013 A weekend of magic, wonder and free cultural activities in Oxford
www.oxfordschristmas.com
@oxchristmas #oxlightfest13