Latest news with #Abingdon
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS NASCAR legend and three-time Daytona 500 winner Larry McClure dies aged 81
NASCAR legend Larry McClure has died at the age of 81. McClure was a co-owner of Morgan-McClure Motorsports, and oversaw three Daytona 500 wins in the 1990s. 'The Family of Larry A. McClure, former co-owner of Morgan McClure Motorsports, announces with great sorrow his passing on Wednesday, June 25 at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia,' his family said in a statement. 'We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support during this most difficult time.' McClure operated Morgan-McClure Motorsports alongside Tim Morgan and his brother Jerry McClure.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Abingdon man's model trains and boats among items stolen
Model boats and two vintage motorbikes were among the collectors' items and family heirlooms stolen from the home of an engineering enthusiast in his Valley Police said thieves took various possessions from a home on Netherton Road, in Abingdon, on 4 among the items stolen were model steam trains and other son of the victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, urged the public to "please help us to recover his treasured belongings". Det Con Laura Oakes said: "We're appealing to anybody who has any knowledge of the whereabouts of this property to please come forward with information to help return them to the family."Police said the vintage motorbikes were believed to have been advertised for sale online in the Oxfordshire area since the theft."It is believed the motorcycles were advertised for sale in May, so we would urge anybody with information about the sale of the purchase of them to contact police," Det Con Oakes said. The victim's son said: "Our father is over 90-years-old. He served in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and later worked at the Pressed Steel in Cowley, designing mechanical parts of cars."His passion was collecting everything to do with engineering, model steam trains and engines and motorbikes."Working on these engines kept him alive and continue to give him great enjoyment and a sense of purpose."Anybody with any information that may help to locate the stolen items has been urged to contact Thames Valley Police. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
In pictures: Sinkhole which caused traffic 'chaos' repaired in four days
A sinkhole in the centre of an Oxfordshire town which caused traffic "chaos" was repaired in four days by the county council. The sinkhole appeared in Bridge Street, Abingdon on Friday, June 13, and was reported by a passer-by to the county council. An on-call team from Oxfordshire County Council's principal highways contractor, M Group, discovered that the hole was over 1.2metres deep and showing widening cracks. READ MORE: A34: Almost 10-mile stretch to close for two weekends The section of the road was closed off to the public and two-way traffic lights were installed to reduce the risk of traffic vibrations worsening the hole. The sinkhole in Bridge Street was 1.2m deep (Image: Oxfordshire County Council) A technical inspection on Monday, June 16 showed no clear cause of the sinkhole, according to the council. Experience the pulse of Oxford at your fingertips 🗞️ With our flash sale, Oxford Mail keeps you updated for less: only £4 for 4 months or save 40 per cent on an annual subscription. Don't miss out on what's happening locally #DigitalDeal #LocalJournalismhttps:// — Oxford Mail (@TheOxfordMail) June 16, 2025 Highways teams worked over four days to repair the hole and install new kerbing and a "fluted" channel to divert surface water from the footway to reduce the risk of further damage. Traffic control measures were installed and caused severe traffic delays in Abingdon (Image: Nathan Ley)READ MORE: Ford Ranger stolen from village near Chipping Norton During the repairs workers discovered a horse's jawbone and tooth on the site, believed to have been there for more than 100 years. Traffic flow through the town, which had been disrupted due to temporary traffic management, returned to normal on Thursday, June 19, earlier than the expected completion date of Friday 20 June. Despite the quick repair work to the serious road issue, the partial closure and traffic caused "chaos' for commuters throughout the week, with cars queuing through the town.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Massive new reservoir is 'nationally significant' project for planners
Planning permission for a massive new reservoir will be decided by the Government, not by a local authority, Thames Water has announced. The reservoir, which would be south west of Abingdon, would produce up to 270 million litres of water per day, providing additional water supplies to 15 million people. It is expected to nearly be as big as Gatwick Airport and has faced repeated local opposition. READ MORE: Judicial review hearing for reservoir near Abingdon In January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves backed plans for the new reservoir, and now the utility company has announced that Environment Secretary, Steve Reed, directed that the South East Strategic Reservoir Option (SESRO) project be recognised as "nationally significant". Leonie Dubois, left, Thames Water's head of engagementUnder the Planning Act 2008, Thames Water will need to seek planning approval at national level, submitting an application for a Development Consent Order in 2026. The announcement comes as the plan for the reservoir is about to be the subject of a judicial review. GARD's (Group Against Reservoir Development) sister company Saferwaters, and countryside charity CPRE Oxfordshire, launched the bid for the judicial review, and Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) will make the case for the reservoir. The hearing is expected to take place on Wednesday and Thursday. Embankment tests for the new reservoirNevil Muncaster, Strategic Water Resources Director, Thames Water said: 'While we've always known our proposed reservoir is of national importance, the Government's recognition of its significance brings us one step closer to securing water supply for 15 million people across the South East. 'The right planning process and finance model is fundamental to securing our water future, delivering a cost-effective project for customers and safeguarding the environment. "Although this project has achieved national significance, local communities remain at the heart of our plans. We're committed to engaging with local people throughout the process, which is why I'd encourage everyone to attend our information events this summer. READ MORE: Fraudsters steal from motorists at car park "These sessions provide the perfect opportunity to learn more about our proposals, understand the benefits and to speak to the team." GARD spokesman Derek Stork said the latest Thames Water announcement was "not news": He added: "The SESRO Project has been a potential 'Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project' since the process of assessing these large water infrastructure projects was set up by government regulators in 2020. "To progress beyond a potential NSIP, the project must pass through a Development Consent Order (DCO) process, for SESRO this will take place in 2026/27. As the DCO has not happened yet, Thames Water cannot announce that anything has ' been accepted'. The 'local democracy' that has been bypassed in this case stems from the decision by Steve Reed to nod SESRO through to the DCO stage (again not news as it happened in August 2024) ignoring calls for a public inquiry." Mr Stork added: "It is this bypassing of local democracy which we are contesting at the High Court next week. Thames Water's latest announcement is to try and cloud the 'ether' around the court hearing." Water Minister Emma Hardy said: 'South East England is projected to face water shortages by 2030. That is why the Government is intervening in the public interest to speed up the planning process and unblock new reservoirs. 'This Government will secure our water supply for future generations while protecting the environment and unlocking the building of thousands of homes as part of the Plan for Change.' Didcot and Wantage MP Olly Glover said: "Many of my constituents have significant concerns about the impact of such a large reservoir on the environment, increased flood risk, and whether a reservoir is the most effective way to secure the region's water supply. This is why I have backed calls for a full public inquiry. "The water minister has postponed my meeting with her until after the upcoming court hearing about whether there should be a judicial review into the decision not to hold a public inquiry. I will be raising the significant local concerns and opposition to this project with her in person as soon as possible.'
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Abingdon reservoir plans 'nationally significant'
A plan to build one of the UK's largest reservoirs will be considered by the government, after it was designated as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure £2.2bn South East Strategic Reservoir Option, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, is a Thames Water project to cope with increasing demand and climate decision to designate the proposal as nationally significant means it will be considered by the government, not the local planning Water, which plans to submit its proposal in 2026, says the new reservoir would secure water supply for 15 million people across southern England. Water Minister, Emma Hardy, said the government was "intervening in the public interest to speed up the planning process and unblock new reservoirs"."This Government will secure our water supply for future generations while protecting the environment and unlocking the building of thousands of homes as part of the Plan for Change," she added. In January, Chancellor Rachel Reeves indicated government support for the Abingdon it has met with environmental objections from the Campaign to Protect Rural England - as well as from Oxfordshire County Council and Vale of White Horse District week a judicial review into Thames Water's proposals for the reservoir is set to take place at the High follows Environment Secretary Steve Reed's approval of the water company's Water Resource Management Plan - which includes the reservoir scheme - last Water's proposals would see the 150 billion litre (150 Mm3) reservoir cover 7 sq km (2.7 sq miles) of Oxfordshire water company said it would "unlock economic growth, support new housing and infrastructure development, and create around 1,000 jobs during its construction".It added that an independent company would finance and build the reservoir, which would "deliver better value for money" for customers. Nevil Muncaster, the company's strategic water resources director, said: "While we've always known our proposed reservoir is of national importance, the Government's recognition brings us one step closer to securing water supply for 15 million people across the South East.""Although this project has achieved national significance, local communities remain at the heart of our plans," he Water will be hosting four community information events next month to share updates and speak to local people about the company will also hold a statutory consultation later this year, ahead of its planning submission in 2026. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
