News from District and County Councillor – Peter Stevens

I am writing this shortly after the Remembrance Sunday memorial service, which I attended in Sutton Courtenay and was honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of the council. It was very moving to listen as the name of every solider killed in World War 1 and 2 was read out and remembered individually.  We were also asked to remember and pray for all those caught up in current conflicts across the globe, and my heart went and goes out to the two million displaced civilians struggling to stay alive in the Gaza Strip, and the number of innocent women and children killed as ‘acceptable collateral damage’ which of course is totally unacceptable, as is apartheid and genocide, if that is proven.  Christmas is a time to remember Christian values and wish peace and goodwill to everyone.  With the rhetoric of the incoming US government and increasingly militant views being witnessed in many places, I worry that further escalation seems almost inevitable, and I wish that to be avoided and that all sides seek lasting peaceful solutions particularly in the Middle East, Ukraine and Africa.  Along that vein, I have asked the council to raise the United Nations flag on United Nations day at Abbey House, to remember the reasons for the creation of that global body after WW2, and its continued role for promoting peace amongst nations today.  Christmas is a time to pray for peace for all.

Back to local life, first snow has fallen now, and I remind residents to protect against the winter weather. I am highlighting issues to Highways with the route taken by many Europa children from Sutton Courtenay across Culham to make that very busy route safer for children and parents.  I am also showing the new place-making team in Highways the lack of a safe foot and cycle path from Peep-o-day Lane to Drayton, which many have pointed out previously.  Although it may be a long term project, I think providing a safe route along Drayton Road beyond the cycle path to Abingdon is important to local residents and many who travel between the two villages.  There are often accidents along that road, which deters cyclists and walkers and divides those who live along the road from both villages.  Lastly, following the concerns raised by residents at Milton Heights about joining the A4130, new temporary lights will be fitted there during the roadworks to enable safe entry and exit to Milton Hill, and we intend to use this period to work out a more permanent solution.

Beyond highways, consultation on the new Joint Local Plan finished in November, and many have inputted to improve this new local planning document, including protection of green spaces between villages, along with better paths and transport links.  Didcot Town are also now starting a neighbourhood plan and have asked our neighbouring villages to join them.  Although most of our villages already have neighbourhood plans already, so do not need to join formally, close relationships are welcome.  Similarly, public consultation is now starting for the major redevelopment of the Dalton Barracks brownfield site at Abingdon airfield, highlighted in the Joint Local Plan as a major contributor for meeting local housing needs. Your input is welcome.

Lastly, In the next few weeks, you may see Thames Water drilling and carrying out tests for the SESRO reservoir in the fields between Sutton Courtenay and Abingdon where they intend to build the new intake and offtake with the River Thames. We are still awaiting response on the added flood risk this creates for our district and our other considerable concerns with Thames Water and their strategic management of our water and waste. In the meantime, we must continue to hold them to account.  For any sewer flooding, ring them on 0300 310 1111.  For river flooding, ring the Environment Agency on 0345 988 1188, and for other local issues, please raise them on FixMyStreet.

The county council have prepared a flood toolkit, and guides for utility failures (like power cuts), clearing snow and other emergencies, which you may find helpful.

Enjoy the festive season and happy new year to all!