Summary

  • Updates on Monday 21 March 2016

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

Live Reporting

Andrew Humphrey

  1. Drivers call for 'limitless fines' for overrunning roadworks

    Members of the Automobile Association would like the county council to be able to issues "limitless fines" for overrunning utility works, according to the motoring organisation.

    Oxfordshire roadworks

    Paul Watters from the AA says companies could do more to make sure roadworks finish on time, and a survey of their members supported strong sanctions.

    They would like limitless fines on companies. The disruption that roadworks cause is significant, not just to the drivers but to the local economy... Drivers feel there needs to be some kind of motivator.

    Paul Watters, Head of roads and transport policy, AA

  2. Oxford microchip photo wins top pic prize

    A photograph of a microwave ion-trap chip for quantum computation, taken by University of Oxford doctorate student Diana Craik, has won a science photography competition.

    Diana Craik's photo of a microwave ion-trap chip for quantum computationPA/Diana Craik

    Other images entered into the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Photography Competition included photos of microscopic brain cells, mating leaf frogs and a robot teacher.

    This device was micro-fabricated using photolithography, a technique similar to photographic film development. Gold wire-bonds connect the electrodes to pads around the device through which signals can be applied. You can see the wire-bonding needle in the top-left corner of the image. The Oxford team recently achieved the world’s highest-performing qubits and quantum logic operations.

    Diana Prado Lopes Aude Craik

  3. Second member of Oxford University’s Labour club quits

    The Daily Telegraph

    Oxford University’s Labour Club (OULC) has suffered a new blow after a second member resigned as disabilities officer, accusing the institution of being discriminatory and a “shadow of its former glory” which produced great leaders.

    His move follows the society’s chairman resigning last month after claiming members of the OULC have “some kind of problem with Jews”.

  4. Roadworks delays "unavoidable"

    Last year Thames Water received the biggest fine for overrunning roadworks in Oxfordshire.

    RoadworksGetty Images

    The works on Banbury Road in Oxford overran for 50 days, and resulted in a £50,000 fine for the company.

    “We always try our best to finish roadworks as quickly as possible. However, sometimes delays are unavoidable. For example, we can encounter unforeseen problems which can make work more complex and longer to finish. This is frustrating, but getting jobs finished properly, even if they overrun, helps reduce the chance of us causing further disruption in the same area in the future.

    Thames Water statement

  5. Travel update: Cumnor traffic lights problem

    Danny Cox
    Presenter, BBC Radio Oxford

    We have reports that the temporary lights at Cumnor Hill are stuck on red in both directions.

    You can get all the news from road and rail on the BBC Travel site.

  6. Unitary Oxfordshire council study 'waste of money'

    Alex Regan
    South Online

    A review into the proposed abolition of Oxfordshire County Council has been branded a "waste of public money".

    Matt Barber and Ian Hudspeth

    Vale of White Horse district councillor Matt Barber, left, and Oxfordshire County Council leader Ian Hudspeth have traded blows over local government reform

    District councils say a plan by the county council to look at devolution proposals is "duplicating" work already done.

    The districts around Oxfordshire have proposed scrapping the county council and creating four unitary bodies, but the county council has accused them of "putting headlines over joint working".

  7. Oxford rapist Joseph Tsang refused permission to appeal against conviction

    Oxford Mail

    A rapist who is serving more than 15 years in jail has had complaints of an unfair trial rejected by top judges.

  8. Fines for overrunning roadworks quadruple in four years

    The amount utility companies have been fined for overrunning roadworks in Oxfordshire has more than quadrupled in the past four years.

    Men at work signPA

    Figures obtained by BBC Radio Oxford show that the companies faced charges of almost £170,000 last year.

    The county council says it's issuing more fines because it's become more proactive at inspecting roadworks, and more works are being carried out by utility companies.

  9. Travel latest: Rowstock road closed after gas leak

    Danny Cox
    Presenter, BBC Radio Oxford

    • The A417 is closed in both directions because of a gas leak between Rowstock and East Hendred
    • It's looking slow on the A34 southbound towards Oxford from Bicester
    • The M40 is also heavy southbound from J10 to J9 at Bicester

    You can get the latest on the BBC Travel site.

  10. Weather: Lots of sun after a cool start

    Dan Downs, Weather Forecaster

    Any patches of mist will quickly burn off leaving a fine, dry and bright day.

    Dan Downs brings you the forecast for today

    There will be some cloud building later in the afternoon, with highs of 11C (52F).

    You can get the latest forecast on the BBC Weather site.

  11. Sport headlines: Oxford United break away wins record

    Robyn Cowen
    Presenter, Radio Oxford Sport

    The top sport stories this morning:

    • For the first time in their history Oxford United have chalked up a dozen away wins in a league season
    • Oxfordshire's Bradley Smith finished eighth at the season-opening round of the MotoGP, and announced he has secured a factory ride with KTM for next season
    • Oxford City Stars beat Bracknell Hornets 7-1 at Oxpens in the penultimate game of the regular season

  12. Latest headlines: Utility roadworks fines increase

    Andrew Humphrey
    BBC Local Live

    This morning's top stories:

    • Fines levied on companies when roadworks overrun have quadrupled in the last four years in Oxfordshire
    • An Oxfordshire man hopes a new medical database he's designed will increase people's chances of survival if found unconscious
    • The record for the longest doubles tennis match in history has been broken in Oxfordshire as a Sport Relief challenge

  13. Good morning and welcome to Oxfordshire Live

    Andrew Humphrey
    BBC Local Live

    Good morning and welcome to BBC Local Live for Oxfordshire this Monday morning.

    I'll be bringing you all the latest news, sport, travel and weather from across the county.

    You can get in touch throughout the day and tell us what you're up to via email, Facebook or Twitter.