28/01/2014 BBC Oxford News

Hello and welcome to South Today from Oxford. In tonight's programme:

Faster journeys in the future, but the disruption's already started.

How the ?1 billion project to bring electric trains to the Great Western

Line is causing problems for motorists.

Also tonight: Work to build the country's first eco town on this

land will finally start in the spring, but is Bicester ready for

the expansion? The graveyard in the path of HS2,

and the campaign to move the remains of more than 2,000 people to a new

location. Later on: how a pasty filled with

snails is helping a village commemorate D`day.

Good evening. It's a project with a ?1 billion price tag, and promises

faster, cleaner trains into London. Work is already underway to

electrify the Great Western Line. It could eventually cut journey times

by a fifth. But there have already been some complaints about

disruption for people using the roads rather than the rails. And,

some critics claim the work is already behind schedule. Robin

Markwell has the story. Electrifying the 300 miles of

railway This is how we'll soon be travelling to London and South

Wales. travelling to London and South

tired old diesel`powered trains replaced by a faster, more reliable

fleet. Journey times and carbon emissions will be slashed. Network

Rail's Swindon HQ is the nerve centre for this billion pound

project. The new broom at the helm is a Californian, fresh from

electrifying the West Coast mainline and redeveloping Reading station.

How is it looking today? Personally, I would be excited about

what is coming, it will be much better than the system that exists

today. It will transform this great Western into a new era of more

efficient delivery as we move forward into the next decade.

A souped`up version of this machine will lay the overhead cables. It

will work nights and weekends to cut down on disruption to rail

passengers. But it's those travelling by road who are first

noticing a difference. Dozens of bridges are having to be rebuilt or

replaced to allow the power`lines through. They've already started in

Wiltshire and councillors say they're running late. We have been

very disappointed in the preplanning. They have not found the

project, they have not considered the conditions or the wildlife

living under the bridges. This has led to delays and communities are

blocked from using the roads. It is a real problem and the council has

had enough. That's disputed by Network Rail, which insists it has

carried out the right surveys and has been open with councils about

its plans. It was the age of steam that put Swindon on the railway map

` now it's hoped electrification could restore that former glory.

Around 200 people have been protesting in Oxford over planned

cuts to services for homeless people and victims of domestic violence.

The County Council needs to save ?93 million by 2018 because it's getting

less money from the Government. Some homeless hostels and training

projects could have their funding cut by nearly 40%. A final decision

on budget cuts is expected next month.

These are vulnerable people who need our assistance and our support. I

dread to think. There will be such a big chunk of people out there

getting no support and potentially their situation is worsening. We

can't afford these cuts. If it weren't for these teams that come

out, the street services, the hostels, the night shelters, if it

wasn't for them, we would have nothing.

Meanwhile, more than 2,500 people have responded to plans to reduce

the amount of free school transport available for children. Campaigners

claim cuts could threaten some rural schools with closure and cause an

increase in traffic. Oxfordshire County Council has put forward the

proposals to try to save ?1 million. The majority of the responses to the

council have been against the idea. A date's been set for work to start

on the country's first eco town on the outskirts of Bicester.

Developers are expected to begin building on farmland to the north of

town towards the end of March. It's part of a three`year project to

create an energy efficient community with 5,000 homes. But some

campaigners say the town isn't ready for such a big increase in housing

and the knock`on effects of extra traffic. Here's Adina Campbell.

In just eight weeks, this green space will see a big transformation.

It's the moment developers have been waiting for. We know that building

work will take place here over the next three years. What are we

actually going to see on these fields? We will see 393 super

energy`efficient homes built on this area. There will be a primary

school, also a business centre to start creating jobs. We will also

have shops and offices. But this is just the beginning. There will

eventually be 6,000 new homes built here over the next 20 years, as well

as an eco pub and allotments. Some of the features include triple

glazing, water recycling and solar panels. Apart from the sheep, there

is not much to see on these 80 acres of farmland. But, by spring 2015,

the first phase of homes will be ready. The whole developer to

project has taken five years of planning. Once finished, the idea is

to create a top`class environmentally friendly community

using energy which releases no carbon emissions. There will be new

cycle routes, charging points for electric vehicles and bus services.

We have got a whole information system which will give people

real`time travel information so they know when the next bus will be, and

it will also educate them about the cost of energy and the use of energy

within their home. What I do have concerns about is whether the

infrastructure will match the needs of what is being put in place. On

the whole they will be a lot of congestion. There's also a promise

to make big reductions in waste during building work, meaning no

rubbish will go to landfill. Only the London 2012 Olympics has

achieved this so far in the UK. Developers are now preparing the

site, which includes paving the way for new access roads. The main

housing work starts in August. The Chancellor George Osborne has

announced a ?67 million science investment for Oxfordshire to

develop world leading technology. The money will go into four centres,

including Harwell. Each will work with small businesses on scientific

research. The Government's pledging ?30 million ` the rest will come

from universities, local authorities and the private sector. The scheme,

part of the City Deal, could create up to 1,800 permanent jobs.

University lecturers have staged a walk`out today in the latest of a

series of strikes over a pay offer. Members of the University and

College Union went on strike for two hours this afternoon, holding a

rally at St Giles and opposite Keble College. The union says a below

inflation rise of 1% is unacceptable. The University of

Oxford says it respects the rights of individuals to protest and put

contingency plans in place for students and staff.

Campaigners are fighting to save a graveyard in Buckinghamshire from

demolition if the new HS2 rail link goes ahead. The graves sit beside

the old Stoke Mandeville Church, which was destroyed in 1966.

Archaeologists say more than 2,500 people are buried there and they

want the church ruins and graves moved to a new location. Sinead

Carroll reports. Moss covered, but not forgotten.

This Buckinghamshire graveyard is the latest site to be affected by

plans for HS2. If the planned HS2 does go ahead, then it will cut

through these trees, across the field, right through here, and into

this woodland area where we are standing. A site of a church first

built in 1190. What you have here is the church site itself, which is a

mound of rubble in the background now, and it cemetery. We estimate

this cemetery contains 2600 people minimum. Adjacent to the church,

there is a possible site of a manor house, and also a water mill which

is mentioned in the Domesday book, and the original fridge of Stoke

Mandeville. Campaigners say, if HS2 Limited is going to build here, the

area should receive compensation, just as you would if your house was

demolished. So protestors are calling for a structure to house and

display the remains. This is not just a question of moving a few

headstones. These are the remains of people, many of them long`term

inhabitants of Buckinghamshire, who have families who still live here

and care about these people. This is personal to a lot of people. HS2

gave us this statement in response saying, "We are keenly aware of the

need to protect our heritage and will continue talking to the local

community about a specific reburial site and display. It is subject to a

set of binding commitments relating to the historic environment." The

consultation on the Environmental impact of HS2 closes next month.

That's all from me for the moment. I'll have the headlines at 8pm and a

full bulletin at 10:25pm. Now, more of today's stories with Sally

Taylor. focus instead on providing a

specialist carer service to enable children to be looked after in their

own homes. Still to come this evening:

25 runners for 25 years. The Great South Run celebrates a quarter of a

century. Visitors to Stonehenge have

discovered a loophole at the World Heritage Site, saving a long walk

and sometimes even getting in for free. A new visitor centre a mile

and a half away opened before Christmas, prompting complains ``

complaints about the distance. Today the old tourist facilities were

demolished and the site next to the monument will be grassed over.

Demolished at last. This has been the goal of English Heritage since

the 1980s. The buildings here have been too

small, too ugly, too close to one of the world's most famous ancient

monuments. Soon, like the road alongside, it will be grassed over,

only a small security building and some toilets will remain.

It's the end of an era really. It's served its purpose, so I am

permanently pleased to see it going because reuniting Stonehenge in its

grass land setting will be absolutely fantastic.

The new visitor centre is a mile and a half away over the hill. The idea

is to give Stonehenge a more tranquil setting with less intrusion

by 21st century life. Until last month, tourists had to

pass through a turnstile and enter via a tunnel beneath the road. But

not any more. Now, they are simply strolling in.

And that creates another problem. This's a public rite of way

alongside and anyone can turn off the A303 and park there. In the wet,

winter weather, the by`way is being badly damaged by lots of cars.

Instead of a three`mile round trip from the car park, it's a one`minute

walk and some people have used it to get in for free.

It's actually the old road to Larkhill Army Camp. It ran through

the outer circle of the ancient monument in the First World War.

Closing it would not be easy. Alongside, the A303 suffers frequent

congestion, the biggest bottleneck on the main route to the South West.

Yet, another consultation is getting under way this week, the Roads

Minister's met Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall councils to begin

a long debate about how to improve it.

A man has been taken to hospital after suffering burps at a

Chichester dentist. Police believe he set himself on fire using

cigarette lighter fluid. The fire was confine toed the man's clothing

with no damage caused to the surgery.

There was anger at an emergency council meeting in Poole after

politicians voted in favour of setting up temporary sites for

travellers. Poole doesn't have any official transit camps, making it

harder to move illegal encampments. Last night, councillors voted to

push ahead with sites. Residents were not consulted properly, it's

being said. The councillors don't seem to be living in the real world.

To spend taxpayers' money, ?250,000 on laying a bit of gravel down on a

site that is totally unsuitable for anybody to live on, it just amazes

me. Michael Fallon was in the City today

talking to key political and business leaders. His appointment

followed the decision in November to move navy shipbuilding to Scotland

with the closure of the BAE Systems yard, causing hundreds of job

losses. He says he is determined to bring new jobs and growth to

Portsmouth. Top of the list is to listen and to

learn and I'm talking to a lot of the people who matter in this city,

to the local leaders and I want to hear for myself how they see

Portsmouth's future. Along the south coast, we are lucky

enough to have hundreds of these beautiful beach huts nestling side

by side along the seafront. For many, they are a home from home, a

place to spend a few hours watching the world go by in. One Dorset town,

there's a question over whether the decoration on some of the structures

is in keeping with the feel of the area.

Picture perfect postcards of the south. The holiday dreams which

tease our loved ones back at home. For Gordon and Janet, that dream is

a reality. Mediterranean blue skies,

sometimes... And a Butterscotch beach hut. Home from home. Their

haven is causing controversy because of its design though. According to

the council rule hut `` council rules, huts have to be painted

mostly blue. Stripes and icons are not permitted.

We've perhaps not quite stuck to the rules in as much that we have put

these graphics on the front of the hut. We did this five years ago.

We've only ever had compliments. Every time we come down, somebody

will take a photo of it. They'll ask us to move, we've even had a wedding

party come down and had a whole series of photographs taken in front

of our hut. Which is lovely! In a statement, Christchurch Borough

Council said: The council seems to be against the

tide of public opinion. It's a very cheering nautical

appearance. I think it fits in lovely with the area and can't see

why they'd want to change it. It's clean, fresh, nicely painted.

Correct. No problem with that. When you look along the line of the beach

huts and some don't look in a particularly good state, it's much

better than the rest of them. Gordon and Janet are hoping the council

will consider relaxing the policy. A consultation is being held on 26th

February. Perhaps a pot of paint lies at the end of the rainbow.

You may have a view on that. Let us know. It is a busy night for

football with all our local teams in action. Southampton host the Premier

League leaders Arsenal at St Mary's. They lie ninth in the table but it's

over a decade since they beat the Gunners at home. We will try to win

the game. One of our strengths is that we go into the game believing

we can win. Full commentary on the match on BBC Radio Solent and Adam

Blackmore joins us from the ground now. Are they good enough to cause a

surprise and beat the league leaders? Well, they are on their

day, but there's no doubt it's going to be tough. When the two sides met

in move at the etch rats, Arsenal were top and Saints stared at the

time in the Premier League. That 2`0 defeat from the side precipitated a

downturn in fortunes `` at the Emirates.

The task is certainly a sizeable one for Saints, especially with the

squad stretched through injury and suspension.

Just waiting for the official team news. Ricky Lambert struck welling a

hamstring injury. `` struggling with a hamstring injury.

Thank you very much. There's a full league programme

tonight in the Championship, Bournemouth host Huddersfield.

Alan Smith's signed a three`and`a`half year contract with

Bournemouth today, but the deal came too late for the 22`year`old to be

available for tonight's home game. Smith's previously been on loan in

the 2011`12 season. In League One, MK Dons travel to

Carlisle and Swindon are two places off the play`offs and travel to

Walsall. In League Two, managerless Oxford

United are away at Exeter. Chris Wilder left at the weekend and was

appointed Northampton manager on Monday. He was set to be out of

contract this summer. He'd been there for five years. The

46`year`old leaves Oxford sixth this League Two.

Portsmouth are on the road at Wycombe. Riche Barker says the

team's away record has been sun acceptable `` unacceptable.

They have won just once away in the league this season.

It may be nine months away, but I bet you are training already. It's

this year's Great South Run. The event was launched in Portsmouth and

this year it's the 25th anniversary. To mark the occasion, a runner from

each of the past 24 years took part in a special photo shoot at the

Spinnaker Tower. The dramatic landscape provided the backdrop for

a celebration for something that's become a landmark event. At the

Spinnaker Tower, they were launch the Great South Run. It's the 25th

anniversary and today a runner from each of the past 24 years took part

in the special commemorative gathering.

The first Great South Run was held in Southampton in 1990 with 2,000

runners. It moved to Portsmouth the following year and now attracts

25,000 participants and is Europe's biggest road race with many famous

names including Mo Farah who won in 2009. Some here today such as

72`year`old Phillip have run in all 24 races.

It's fantastic. It's a flat run, easy compared to some. It's not

hilly. It's the atmosphere of it really, it's great and there are

crowds of people around all cheering you on. It's a happy occasion. Over

the years, the race has attracted many celebrities such as blank Bruno

and former Portsmouth university student Ben Fogle, as well as

countless more anonymous runners in fancy dress which seemed a good idea

at the planning stage down the pub. Starting to warm up a bit. I might

be struggling soon. The sponsored runners have helped raise over ?30

million over the years and today, the man who was the honorary race

starter in 2010 praised their efforts.

Haven't got to be first. If you take part and finish, what a fantastic

feat that is, but at the same time, if you'd been supported by people

who're putting money in to the charities, what more could you ask?

The organisers are planning a 25`gun salute and asking for photos of past

races which they'll display on the events screen this October.

Among the famous faces today. Somebody we know very familiar to

us. There she is, one of the runners representing 25 years. Which was

your year? 2010. It's good with all those people there? It's amazing and

very fast. One of the fastest. Look, who is that? ! It's you. I wasn't

there today. I wasn't unvitaled. There are a Faw of us. That was the

first run in 1990. Gosh, I looked young. I also look very fit and

well. Still time to do it this year.

What you need is a good pasty to eat which takes us nicely on to the next

story. Events will take place to mark the 70th anniversary of the

war. The commander General Eisenhower set

up a HQ in Southwark where people are already getting a taste of the

commemorations to come. Something a little different has

been coming out of the ovens as the village prepares to celebrate a

special anniversary. Customers have been sampling three recipes just

like the official D`Day pasty. We have the resistance which includes

snail, the Russian pasty which was spam, oatmeal and various other

vegetables that you could get in the day. The winner was the Churchill

pasty which is British beef, a red wine beef casserole one side of the

pasty and normal the other side. The Churchill pasty. Two actually, not

both for myself. The spam one will be fantastic. Not sure about the

snail but the spam definitely. The military in 1944 couldn't move for

forces preparing for a significant date.

NEWSREEL: The dawn of June 6th comes over... The villagers then didn't

really know what was going on. My mother lived here, she was 13 at the

time, a farmer's daughter. She lived in a farmhouse at the bottom of the

village and in camps there were British troops, the offers would

come in to have fresh running water. The privates would share the water

dipped from the river. They knew there was something big about to

take place but they had no idea it was leading up to D`Day. The entire

invasion was run from here, so 70 years on, Southwark has much to

celebrate. One idea is to record the recktions of those here back in

1944. For an exhibition and hopefully a book to keep alive the

memories of the times when this tiny village played such a crucial role

in world history. The 70th anniversary commemorations

coming up over the coming months. Now the weather.

Stay tuned to the forecast. Ken Rayner captured the Wilton windmill

south of Hungerford in`between the showers.

Mark Steel took this photograph of the Winterborn Stickland.

Weather warnings for more rain at the moment.

Dorset, the Isle of Wight, West Sussex, Surrey and Wiltshire with.

Other areas will be affected. The rain will affect much of the region.

We are expecting some showers with perhaps hail and thunder. They could

be on the heavy side lasting through much of the night.

Temperatures fall to a chilly four to five Celsius but remain above

freezing. There is a brisk wind. Tomorrow is generally a grey and

damp day, all in all. We are expecting rain, further showers,

hail and thunder throughout the day and wintry showers. We could have a

dusting of snow over the Chilterns, the Berkshire Downs and the

Cotswolds with temperatures rising to a chilly five Celsius in some

parts in Oxfordshire. Along the south coast, a high of seven to

eight. The brisk easterly will take the edge off temperatures tomorrow.

The Wimbledon tri`` wintry showers continue tomorrow. A yellow weather

warning out for that. Where we have had the showers, the

big risk of ice on untreated surfaces. A drier start to the day

on Thursday, but a quieter day, although probably the coldest day of

the winter so far. The winds will be lighter than recent days, but it

will be chilly and generally quite a cloudy day. Then we are looking

ahead to Friday and Saturday with this next weather feature pushing in

from the Atlantic courtesy of an area of low pressure and that could

bring some significant amounts of rain, perhaps up to an inch through

the course of Friday and through Saturday. A lot of weather warnings.

Stay tuned to the website for the latest information. Rain warning

overnight tonight and through the day tomorrow. An ice warning

tomorrow and further rain warnings Friday and Saturday with thundery

showers. Relentless! Thank you very much. A

peak inside the facilities of Broadmoor. Join us tomorrow at 6.

30. Good nights. Good night.