Government 'moving goalposts' on Bicester level crossing, MP says
The crossing is set to be closed on safety grounds when the East West Rail (EWR) line becomes fully operational but residents previously said they feared this would see the town "cut in two."The new EWR service will connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge and is due to be opened to passengers in the early 2030s.
"People in Bicester have been clear and consistent: we want a short, safe underpass than can accommodate car users as well as cyclists and pedestrians," Mr Miller said.The Liberal Democrat MP said he had held "constructive discussions" with EWR and Network Rail about how to mitigate the closure, and "at no point was a pedestrian bridge seriously proposed"."To see it now reappear as an option is shameful and feels like the government and East West Rail are moving the goalposts on local residents," he said.
In its response to the petition, the Department for Transport said it "recognises that there are strong views locally in Bicester about closing the crossing and the concerns felt by local people that closing the crossing could damage connectivity and lengthen journey times for motorists".It said EWR was "considering an accessible pedestrian overbridge or underpass to provide a suitable replacement crossing for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorised users of the crossing"."It is also considering how vehicle traffic might be re-routed via existing roads," the response said.The government department, which is headed by Heidi Alexander, added that EWR would "present a single option solution for further consultation at a future statutory consultation".
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
7 minutes ago
- The Independent
Hundreds ready to be arrested at mass protest against Palestine Action terror ban
At least 500 people are expected to take part in a pro-Palestine protest on Saturday that could see them arrested under terrorism laws for holding up signs. The action, which is planned for Westminster, will force police to confront the impact of a new order proscribing protest group Palestine Action as a terror organisation. Activists who oppose the group's ban will hold up signs on Saturday expressing support for the organisation, an act which is now an offence under section 13 of the Terrorism Act. Organisers from Defend our Juries, who are co-ordinating the action, told The Independent that they were 'very confident' it would go ahead with at least 500 people involved. Protesters plan to sit together and hold up signs saying: 'I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action'. But the prime minister's spokesperson warned those planning to take part that they may 'yet not know the true nature of this organisation', telling reporters: 'This is not a peaceful or non-violent protest group.' A police source also told The Guardian that anyone demonstrating in support of Palestine Action would be arrested at the weekend. They said: 'However we have to do it, they will be arrested for breaking terrorism laws' Organisers will make a final decision on whether the protest will go ahead tomorrow. The government's proscription of Palestine Action as a terror group is currently being challenged in the High Court, with a court case expected later in the autumn. In a judgement allowing the court case to go ahead, Mr Justice Chamberlain said it was 'reasonably arguable' that the proscription 'amounts to a disproportionate interference' of Huda Ammori, the co-founder of the group's, rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Home secretary Yvette Cooper decided to proscribe the group after activists allegedly broke into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and sprayed two military planes with red paint. Court papers said she was hesistant to proscribe the group, but that the CPS advised acting early to minimise the risk of prejudice in the upcoming trial of Palestine Action protesters in November. Describing their planned action on Saturday, Tim Crosland, from Defend Our Juries, said: 'We're just exercising our democratic rights to freedom of assembly. Our plans are online, this is an open transparent campaign against an order that the UN has said is unnecessary. There isn't any secret plot. 'We think at least 500 people will be involved although there is no fool proof way of knowing. Some people are travelling into London from around the country and some people are saying they might come from Holland for it'. He added: 'Holding a sign is in some ways a much more gentle ask than getting onto gantries, or breaking into a base, or anything like that. But because of the [proscription] order that simple act of peaceful protest is an offence under the terror act. We are letting people know that the risks are very very substantial, but if enough of us do it then there is safety in numbers'. In a briefing for protesters, Defend Our Juries advises people that there is a substantial risk of arrest and that the Met Police has arrested people under section 13 of the Terrorism Act. This makes it an offence to wear an item of clothing or display an article that arouses 'reasonable suspicion that [the wearer] is a member or supporter of a proscribed organisation'. The document advises people that 'if enough of us take a stand, then it is unlikely any charges will be brought'. Outside of London, some protesters have had their homes raided and technology seized. One 80-year-old woman was arrested at a rally in Cardiff and had her home searched. She said officers removed iPads, a Palestine flag, books on Palestine, and material related to Extinction Rebellion. In the brief, Defend Our Juries warn participants that if they are taking action outside London they should warn any housemates that their homes could be searched. Recommendations also include removing tech from the house, having a decoy phone, laptop or Ipad, and if they are vulnerable to put a note on the front door stating 'I am elderly and will take longer to answer the door'. The prime minister's spokesperson told reporters on Monday that 'those who seek to support this group [Palestine Action] may yet not know the true nature of this organisation, but people should be under no illusions: this is not a peaceful or non-violent protest group. 'We're also clear that their activities do not reflect or represent the thousands of people across this country who continue to exercise their fundamental right to protest on difficult, different issues'.
Telegraph
8 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Reform council leader risks contempt of court over comment about asylum seeker rape case
A teenage Reform council leader has risked being found in contempt of court following the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl. George Finch, 19, the Warwickshire county council leader, risked falling foul of the law with a comment about the case at a Reform UK press conference in central London on Monday. Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, was charged last week with the rape of the girl in Nuneaton, while Mohammad Kabir, 23, was charged with kidnap and strangulation. Mr Finch appeared to acknowledge the legal risks of commenting on the case, saying he was told that 'if I released this I would be in contempt of court'. Warwickshire Police reportedly advised local councillors and officials not to reveal the asylum-seeker background of the two suspects, for fear of 'inflaming community tensions'. Warwickshire Police has not denied reports that Mr Mulakhil and Mr Kabir are asylum seekers. The pair have appeared at Coventry magistrates' court and were both remanded in custody until an appearance at Warwick Crown Court on Aug 26. In a statement, the force said that once someone is charged with an offence, it follows national guidance which 'does not include sharing ethnicity or immigration status'. Farage: We need to care about protecting children Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, was asked during the press conference if he was concerned that Mr Finch's comments might put a trial and potential conviction at risk. He replied: 'I can imagine if I was leader of Warwickshire county council and I was getting the level of distress from voters and residents that George is feeling, if that means that he was slightly emotional, well, do you know what, good. 'Perhaps we really do need to start actually really thinking and caring about protecting children.' Contempt of court laws are in place to stop people from sharing information which could prejudice active legal proceedings. The Telegraph is unable to repeat Mr Finch's claims because it would risk putting this newspaper in contempt of court. The attorney general, an office currently occupied by Lord Hermer, has the power to deal with incidents of contempt by instituting proceedings against people in the High Court. However, this power is 'reserved for rare circumstances where the wider public interest requires it', according to official guidance.
Telegraph
8 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Difficult exams are ‘discriminatory', say junior lawyers
Demanding solicitors' exams are 'discriminatory' and risk leading to a 'lack of diversity' across the industry, lawyers have warned. A petition signed by hundreds of trainee lawyers has called for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) to be made easier over concerns the tests are 'disproportionately challenging' and favour 'certain backgrounds and learning styles'. In an appeal to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), the lawyers said that low pass rates among ethnic minority candidates 'will undoubtedly lead to a lack of diversity within the profession'. Critics of the SQE have pointed to figures from the SRA showing that white candidates have significantly higher pass rates than those from ethnic minority backgrounds since the exam was introduced in 2021. In the most recent round of testing in January, 70pc of white candidates passed the SQE compared to 49pc of Asian candidates and 37pc of black candidates, the SRA's figures show. The petition, which has now been signed by more than 650 lawyers, also claims that the pressure surrounding the exam is causing 'extreme stress and anxiety' for candidates. Low pass rates on the SQE have led to criticism that the tests are overly difficult compared to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) exams that they replaced four years ago. The most recent figures from January show that 56pc of candidates passed the SQE tests, up from 44pc in July. The SRA's figures show that women have lower pass rates than men, while candidates from working-class backgrounds also perform worse than their peers. In a note explaining the petition, a trainee solicitor under the name Hannah Cox said: 'Despite being academically very strong, with a law degree from a top university and a training contract with an international firm, I have found the SQE disproportionately challenging. 'It has not only affected my academic life but has also taken a severe toll on my mental, financial, and physical well-being. This is a sentiment echoed by the vast majority of other candidates who have undertaken this exam.' The SQE is now the main way to qualify as a lawyer. It sees candidates take a series of multiple-choice tests on subjects including criminal law and contracts. Trainees also take oral exams to test their advocacy skills. Trainee lawyers have faced severe consequences for failing their SQE, including having their training contracts rescinded and being forced to repay qualification costs to their respective law firms. The SRA itself has admitted to 'teething problems' with the SQE, including in relation to the lower pass rates among black and Asian candidates. It has said it is investigating the reasons behind the discrepancy, which it said was also seen on the LPC exams.
