28/01/2014 BBC Oxford News

Good evening. Network Rail has been criticised over its preparation work

to electrify the Great Western Line. Bridges have to be demolished and

rebuilt so power cables can be installed. Work is due to take place

in Oxfordshire later in the year. But in Wiltshire, where it's already

started, there are complaints about the disruption. Robin Markwell

reports. Electrifying 300 miles of real way to make it cleaner, greener

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

Wales. Electrifying the line will see tired old diesel`powered trains

replaced by a faster, more reliable fleet. 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've been very disappointed in the

pre`planning. They haven't planned the project or find out the

conditions or wildlife that is living under the bridges. All

communities have been blocked off from using or accessing the roads

and it is a real problem. That's disputed by Network Rail which

insists it has carried out the right surveys and has been open with

councils about its plans. 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. Personally I would be very excited

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

exists to date. It will transform Great Western into a new error and a

more efficient system of delivery as we move forward into the next

decade. `` either. `` era. It was the age of steam that put Swindon on

the railway map. Now it's hoped electrification could restore that

former glory. A ?67 million investment in Oxfordshire, to get

cutting`edge science and technology products on to the market has been

announced by the Chancellor, as part of a deal to boost the local

economy. George Osborne made the announcement during a visit to

Begbroke Science Park. He said ?30 million would come from central

government and the rest from local councils and universities. The

money's designed to help innovative small firms sell their products to

the rest of the world. Work is due to start on the country's first eco

town, on the outskirts of Bicester, towards the end of March. The

project has been five years in the planning. But some people say

Bicester isn't ready for hundreds of new homes and the extra traffic.

Here's Adina Campbell. In just eight weeks, this rain space will see a

big transformation. It's the moment developers have been waiting for. We

know that building work will take place year over the next three

years, what will we actually see on this field? We will see 370

energy`efficient homes built here. We will have a primary school and

the business Centre to start creating jobs. We will have some

shops and offices they are. 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 sheet there

is not much to see on these 80 acres of farmland but by spring 2015 the

first phase of homes will be deadly. Once finished, the idea is to create

a top`class environmentally friendly community using energy which

releases no carbon emissions. There'll be new cycle routes,

charging points for electric vehicles and bus services. 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. Around 200

campaigners have been protesting in Oxford over possible cuts to

services for homeless people and victims of domestic violence. The

County Council needs to save ?93 million in the next four years. Some

homeless hostels could lose almost 40% of their funding. The remains of

2,500 people could be moved from a graveyard in Buckinghamshire to a

new location plans for HS2 go ahead. The high speed rail line is due to

cut through the site of the old Stoke Mandeville Church. Sinead

Carroll reports. Moss covered but not forgotten. This Buckinghamshire

graveyard is the latest site to be affected by plans for High Speed 2.

If it goes ahead it will cut through here, across the field, right

through and into this woodland area where we are standing. The site of

the church first built in 1190. What we have is the side of the church

art and its cemetery. We estimate 2600 people at a minimum. There is

also a water mill which is mentioned in the Domesday book. Like macro

Campaigners say if HS2 limited is going to build here the area should

receive compensation, just as you would if your house was demolished.

It is the remains of many people, families who live here keen about

these people. The consultation on the

environmental impact poses next month. In football, Swindon were

held to a 1`1 draw by promotion chasing rivals Walsall. MK dons lost

3`0 away at Carlisle. Now the weather forecast. Showers on the

cards tonight. They could be on the heavy side perhaps with the odd

rumble of thunder and heal. Tomorrow we pick up an easterly breeze which

will certainly take the edge of temperatures. Showers will continue

drifting in from the safe. They could be on the heavy side with some

heal and thunder. More rain and sunshine. Temperatures will reach

four to five Celsius. The breeze will make it feel cold out in the

open. The risk of snow over the hills, not amounting to March. We

have the ice risk tomorrow night lasting into Thursday morning.

That's all for tonight, good night.