Summary

  • Updates on Thursday 10 December 2015

  • News, sport, travel and weather updates resume at 08:00 on Friday

  1. Our coverage through the daypublished at 18:00

    That's all from BBC Oxfordshire Live for today.

    We'll be back from 08:00 on Friday with the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates. Join us then.

  2. Weather: A clear and dry eveningpublished at 17:55

    Emily Wood
    BBC Weather

    The afternoon rain should stop by this evening, leaving a dry night.

    Emily Wood

    There will be some showery outbreaks in the early hours, with lows of 7C (45F).

    You can get a full 10-day forecast on the BBC Weather site.

  3. Sport headlines: Mixed fortunes for Oxford's Varsity rugby teamspublished at 17:48

    Dan Freeman
    BBC Radio Oxford Sport

    The top sport stories in Oxfordshire this evening:

  4. Latest headlines: Council tax rise proposed for Oxfordpublished at 17:44

    Andrew Humphrey
    BBC Local Live

    This evening's top stories in our county:

    • There are "exceptional pressures" on finances at Oxford City Council, the authority says as it proposes a council tax rise as part of its budget
    • Ofsted-style ratings are to be introduced to assess treatment of people with learning disabilities after Southern Health was criticised in an NHS report
    • The family of Justin Skrebowski have paid tribute to him after he was murdered in Abingdon on Monday
  5. Evening TV: Bicester bypass wildlife fearspublished at 17:39

    On South Today tonight:

    Campaigners in Bicester say they fear a valuable nature reserve could be destroyed if a new bypass to the south of the town goes ahead.

    Media caption,

    Adina Campbell brings you the stories coming up at 18:30

    Two options being considered would link up the old Graven Hill site - which is earmarked for new homes - with the A41.

    Supporters say the road is desperately needed to combat traffic congestion.

    Join Adina Campbell at 18:30 for that and the rest of today's news.

  6. Coming up on Friday's Breakfast show with Charles Novepublished at 17:35

    Charles Nove
    BBC Radio Oxford presenter

    Two months ago the new personnel who work with the Chinooks came to the RAF base in Benson with their families to work on the aircraft and set up home in Oxfordshire.

    Phil Mercer

    We've sent our reporter Phil Mercer to meet some of those on the base and their families, and see how they are settling in to life in the county.

    Join Charles for that and more from 07:00.

  7. Christmas Common tree lit up in Downing Streetpublished at 17:28

    The lights on the Downing Street Christmas tree have been switched on. 

    Downing Street Christmas tree

    The 20ft tree was supplied by Andrew Ingram, a grower from the aptly named Christmas Common in Oxfordshire who won a competition for the honour.

  8. Postpublished at 17:23 Greenwich Mean Time 10 December 2015

  9. Safer, faster heart scans promised by Oxford University researcherspublished at 17:18

    A scan technique that gives more information about the heart without using any injections has been developed by a team of Oxford University researchers, external.

    T1-map heart scanImage source, Oxford University

    The medical, physics and engineering researchers are using a property of hydrogen atoms to create a pixel-by-pixel map of the heart, called a T1-map, which allows examination in greater detail than before.

    Quote Message

    The potential of this research is huge, not only for heart scans. The pixel-by-pixel level of detail from these scans could help identify unhealthy tissue wherever it appears.

    Dr Vanessa Ferreira, Oxford Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research

  10. Travel latest: A34 lane blocked after crashpublished at 17:04

    Al Ryan
    BBC Oxford travel presenter

    • We have reports of a four-car collision on the A34 northbound just before the Kidlington junction
    • It's busy on all routes around Oxford, especially the Marston Ferry Road, the Botley Road and the Abingdon Road
    • In Culham the A415 is very slow on the approach to the Clifton Hampden traffic lights

    You can see the latest where you are with the BBC Travel site.

  11. Oxfordshire MEP to take measure of city's pollutionpublished at 16:57

    South East MEP Catherine Bearder will join campaigners tomorrow to measure Oxford's air pollution in an attempt to raise awareness about poor air quality.

    Catherine Bearder MEP

    The Liberal Democrat will be joined by activists for ClientEarth, an environmental law organisation that has taken the UK government to court for breaking air quality limits.

    Quote Message

    A lot has been done to reduce pollution levels in Oxford, but the city is still failing to meet European standards. Air pollution causes 10 times more deaths than traffic accidents each year. We must do more to tackle this invisible killer.

    Catherine Bearder, Liberal Democrat MEP

  12. Oxford win sixth straight Varsity gamepublished at 16:34

    BBC Sport

    It's a record-breaking day for the Dark Blues as they win for the sixth successive time - the first time that has been achieved in the history of the Oxford-Cambridge rugby clash.

    Oxford Varsity win 2015Image source, Getty Images

    Meanwhile, it's the first time in 14 years there hasn't been a try in the match, but according to those in the know in the stadium it was still a cracking game of rugby!

    For a full rundown of the game, check out the all the action here.

  13. Council tax in Oxford set to rise 1.99%published at 16:26

    Bethan Phillips
    BBC Radio Oxford

    Oxford City Council says it's facing "exceptional pressures" as it tries to set its budget for the next four years, and is proposing to raise council tax by 1.99%, external.

    Council tax bill

    The authority says it is struggling with a reduction in funding from the government and increased pressure on services.

    The 1.99% rise proposed is the maximum allowed without having to call a referendum. Councillors will vote on the budget proposals on 17 February 2016.

  14. Oxford win Varsity Rugby matchpublished at 16:21
    Breaking

    Oxford have beaten Cambridge in the university rugby clash at Twickenham 12-6. Details to come...

  15. Oxford City Council 'scales back' affordable homes planpublished at 16:07

    Hannah Bewley
    BBC News Online

    Plans to build more affordable homes in Oxford are being substantially scaled back due to the "negative effect" of government policies, its council says.  

    Barton Park housing development planImage source, Pollard Thomas Edwards

    Oxford City Council said in its budget proposals it could no longer afford to buy 354 homes for council tenants at the Barton Park development.

    The council said buying the homes for council tenants would have to be taken over by a council-owned housing company or a housing association, as it would not be able to fund the estimated £52m up to 2023/34. 

  16. Coming up on Drivetime with Holly Samospublished at 15:50

    Holly Samos
    BBC Radio Oxford

    Holly Samos is sitting in for David Prever this afternoon, with the news that council tax in Oxford could be set to rise next year, external.

    Council tax billImage source, PA

    It's one of the moves outlined in the city council's proposed budget, which has now been published.

    We'll get all the details from the deputy leader Ed Turner.

    Join Holly from 16:00