07/04/2014 BBC Oxford News

Good evening. That's all from us.

Good evening. Researchers in Oxford say they're on

the verge of a breakthrough in detecting the early signs of

Parkinson's. They claim MRI brain scans could be one of the most

effective ways of diagnosing the condition, which may lead to better

treatments. Adina Campbell has more. Lucy from north Oxfordshire was

diagnosed with Parkinson's hn her late 30s. Having the condithon means

she has problems with things most of us take for granted, like cttting

vegetables or writing. She's also been forced to give up work.

I actually said to the neurologist deeply my diagnosis, I can't have

it, I'm only 38. I assumed ht was a condition only old people got. I

never thought it would happdn to me. One person in every 500 has

Parkinson's. That works out as 127,000 people across the UK, and

around 5,000 of those are hdre in the South Today region. Parkinson's

is usually associated with older people ` the symptoms tend to appear

when people reach their 60s. But the latest figures show that ond in 20

with the condition is under the age of 40. In terms of the symptoms the

main ones include body shakds, rigidity and slow movements. At the

moment, doctors still haven't found a cure for Parkinson's Dise`se. But

there's a major research project underway at Oxford University which

could provide some answers. MRI or brain scanning, which traditionally

has not been of any use, in our hands it may help predict P`rkinson

is. This new research about the effectiveness of MRI scans hs due to

be revealed in the next few weeks. Adina Campbell, BBC South Today

Work's underway in the centre of Oxford to repair a sewer th`t's

collapsing under the weight of congealed fat. Cooking oil poured

into sinks and drains is to blame for a major blockage that Thames

Water is calling a "fat berg". The company says the emergency clearance

and repair work will take up to two weeks.

This is flat mixed with nappies sanitary towels and baby wipes, all

the things that should not go into the sewer, causing one giant

disgusting blockage. This is in Surrey, and the one in Oxford is

thought to be just as bad. Removing it is urgent. It is already so heavy

that the sewer in Oxford has collapsed. That's why these roads

have been partially closed because of emergency roads taking place

This monitoring station is keeping an eye on the city centre traffic,

but Oxford has been brought to a standstill today, a simple ten

minute journey taking some lore than two hours. At 20 past four Banbury

Road, it normally takes 25 linutes. We expected to be there in `bout

half an hour. Made it pretty much ruined, but

never mind. But the work is critical to save

homes and businesses in Oxford. If it was not removed, the sew`ge with

that up and cause flooding. Although it is necessary, Thames watdr would

see it rather didn't happen in the first place.

We would rather not cause disruption, and we know the traffic

is horrendous for people. This is avoidable, if people listen to our

advice and don't flush thosd things down the toilet, it could bd

avoided. The roads will be closed for around

two weeks, until the teams can dig around and see how big the fat

blockage is. Train passengers between

Gloucestershire and Swindon are being warned to expect servhce

alterations due to engineerhng works on the line. Construction of a

second line of track between Kemble and Swindon is nearing completion,

and will double capacity on the stretch. But passengers havd been

told that replacement bus sdrvices will operate instead of trahns at

various times over the coming days. The ?45 million project is scheduled

to finish over the Easter wdekend. 2,000 jobs could be created in

Swindon if a new employment park is approved as part of the town's

eastern expansion plans. I'll A planning application has bedn

submitted for a development called the Hub, which would create office,

warehouse and driving jobs on the A420 at Marston Farm. 6,000`plus new

schools and improvements to the road network are also proposed for the

surrounding area. Solar panels have been inst`lled on

a handful of homes, in an effort to reduce residents' energy bills,

while at the same time generating income for the city council. If

judged successful, the pilot project will be expanded. Sinead Carroll's

been to meet one couple now reaping the rewards from the technology on

their roof. Getting ready, with the help of

electricity. Valerie Parrott spends ?10 a week on electricity. Now her

council home's been fitted with solar panels, she should sed her

bills lower. It will be cheaper electrichty for

us in the summer. I know in the summer we don't use much

electricity, but we still use electricity in the summer, `nd if it

will cost me nothing, fair dnough, because my husband and I ard

pensioners. This electricitx cannot be stored, it is used as it's

generated, which means that the couple will still pay for appliances

the user might or on overcast days and they may have wasted eldctricity

on very sunny days. People are struggling hard with

energy bills, that's why we can afford this, because as the

electricity is generated by the solar panels, that pays mondy which

the council is putting in. Oxford city council spent ?25,000 on this

scheme. They hope to recoup the cost in 12 years.

This is the first time solar panels have been installed on existing

council homes in Oxford. Thd City Council have already put panels up

on some communal properties like the leisure centre, but it is hoped that

if these work residents can save between 215 pounds and ?300 a year,

and the scheme may be rolled out across the city.

Late Kick off is on BBC One tonight at 11:25pm. Alexis is on thd way

with the regional weather forecast. Goodnight.

Tonight will be colder than last night with a chilli fields of

things. It should stay mainly dry. Wins gradually changing to

north`westerly. We are expecting low temperatures of four or fivd

Celsius. The odd stray showdr me arrive in the morning, but through

the afternoon a decent amount of sunshine, and temperatures will rise

to around 11 or 12 Celsius. Around the seasonal average. A lot of cloud

over the next few days, and outbreaks of rain are

getting up to around 14 degrees. Unsettled conditions through the

next few days. A bit of rain around on Friday but with more on that I

will hand you over to Nina Ridge. The weekend