20/04/2017 South Today - Oxford

An unconventional decision and disappointment for

Why the candidate who'll fight to keep Andrew Smith's seat will be

Also - A plea to protect badgers by changing planning laws.

How the animals are dying as housing developments are built.

The TV stars marking a million-pound milestone

As Andrew Smith spends his last few weeks as MP for Oxford East there's

dismay in the local Labour Party that the candidate who'll stand

in his place will be chosen nationally, not locally.

The speed of the coming general election has led the party to decide

on an exceptional procedure for selecting the person

He's been a local MP for nearly 30 years.

But the Labour candidate vying to replace him

Labour's Oxford East candidate will be chosen nationally

because of timescale of the snap election.

The party's National Executive Committee will sort

through applications, interview potential candidates

That's clearly caused disappointment in the local party.

"It's with the greatest regret that Oxford and District Labour Party

members will not be able to select a candidate."

But they add that it "will not set any precedent for future elections."

Andrew Smith gave me his reaction to that today.

Yes, it would have been nice if local members could be involved. We

have received assurances that in the selection process, very close

attention will be towards the calibre and relevant experience to

the candidates and close attention will be given to local links and

that is very important. Would you be unhappy if someone was parachuted

into what is considered a safe Labour seat? I have never considered

anything said Seat, you have to earn your seat. They have to show people

they are on their side and be in touch with the community. I am

certain the next Labour candidate is going to do that.

So what do people in Andrew Smith's Oxford East constituency think?

It is a shame it won't be a local process, but I can see why they are

doing it. Local person every time. They know the area and the issues.

The way the Labour Party is at the moment, I would be a bit suspect of

the candidate they chose. It doesn't bother me too much, but I think a

local person has more of an interest and someone you can go to. I don't

think it will make any difference to how they will perform as an MP.

Other parties will now be looking at the Oxford East

Candidates will be announced in the coming weeks

I hope there will be a bit of time for travel, a bit more time to

gardening and I would like a new bike.

A senior prison officer from Woodhill prison

near Milton Keynes is to stand trial for manslaughter.

It follows the death of an inmate who was found hanged in his cell

55 year-old Joseph Travers will appear at the Old Bailey next month.

He's thought to be the first prison officer to be charged

with manslaughter after a prisoner's death.

A group supporting rough sleepers in Oxford is asking homeowners

if they'd give a room to some of them.

The Iffley Open House project has squatted a number of empty

buildings in the city, drawing attention to the large

Several of them have jobs and are looking

Julius has recently started working in a pub

If you are going to manage to get a job while you are on the streets,

it's going to be really hard for you to move on from that.

Because you just need a space where you can get back after work,

have a shower and get some food, get dressed and the next

More badgers are being killed on the roads and conservationists

in Oxfordshire say the building of new housing developments

They're urging planners and builders to do more to protect the animals

Badgers have lived in this woodland in South Oxford,

for at least a century but parts of the countryside here,

and elsewhere in Oxfordshire, have been lost to new buildings.

Their habitat is being taken for development. They are being squeezed

out. They are not being able to reach their foraging areas because

there are not enough wildlife corridors for them to reach them. We

are seeing more of them being forced onto the roads and killed.

While badgers are a protected species, there are no accurate

figures to say for sure whether numbers of badgers

However given the evidence at Cumnor Hill in the Vale

there seems no doubt that badger setts are often destroyed

as development creeps in on their territory.

Oxfordshire Badger Group is also concerned about the impact

of hundreds of new homes at Barton Park.

But the City Council says artificial setts have been built for badgers.

As any kind of biodiversity, the council takes it very seriously and

we are committed to protecting them, as well as other wildlife. When a

development comes into the Council for proposal, we will consider it

and only permit it if we are satisfied there will be no impact on

badges and other kinds of wildlife. There are national laws

for protecting the countryside but some authorities go

further than others. In Milton Keynes, a charity called

the Parks Trust has been set up There is wildlife corridors that

have been put together in Milton Keynes lakes, ponds and natural

habitats. We have seen a successful development, plus protection of the

environment working hand-in-hand as a new city is developed. There are

some good examples in Milton Keynes that might work well in places like

Oxford. The number of people living

in Oxfordshire is expected to increase by more than a quarter

in the next 15 years. The challenge is to build them homes

without destroying the wildlife. One of the UK's biggest

energy companies says it's using new technology to improve

electricity networks for homes The multi-million pound investment

means a special fleet of aircraft is now being deployed to scan

the networks and keep Could this be the future

of mapping our electricity networks? This aerial scanning system

is being used by Scottish and Southern Electricity networks,

surveying our power lines, checking for trees and other

vegetation, which may lead to blockages

and electricity cuts. Obviously, trees are continuously

growing and we have to manage them on an ongoing basis and the biggest

issue is trees falling What we're able to do with this,

once all the data has been gathered, we can put it into our computer

systems, we will be able to see which trees will be a threat

to the lines and which trees aren't That lets us target

the tree cutting. This innovative mapping

system is a big investment But it wouldn't be possible

without the team of engineers With the equipment we have on board,

it sends out hundreds of thousands of flashes of light every second

as we fly over the power lines and we get a really,

really accurate, 3-D record of the line and the

position of the trees. So when we come back

we can process that data, serve it up on a 3-D platform

so the guys back in the office can see exactly where

they've got problems. Some network operators believe

the technology could lead to better maintenance work,

resulting in more A Buckinghamshire charity that

trains puppies to be the ears of their owner is celebrating 35

years in operation. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People take

on 200 puppies a year, teaching them to respond

to different sounds. This weekend the charity

welcomes more than 200 dogs on a sponsored dog walk,

and they want you to come along to. It's time to wake up,

but you can't hear your alarm. This everyday problem impacts almost

a million people in the UK. But for three and a half decades,

a Buckinghamshire charity has been We as a charity, we train clever

dogs to respond to sounds and to assist people

who are profoundly or severely deaf. We create a partnership with that

individual and the dog. It makes a huge difference

to the lives of those individuals throughout

its working life. Puppies are trained for up

to two years to respond to sound such as doorbells,

phones and smoke alarms. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has

placed more than 2000 dogs One of those is George Street,

who is paired with Jake. I had perfect hearing

until I was about 30-40. Then gradually my hearing

has deteriorated. He's my key ring carer,

he's brilliant. He's a companion and a dog that does

a job all rolled into one. The charity doesn't get government

funding and relies on donations They help with everything

from fundraising to maintenance It changed our lives,

as much as it will hopefully We get that much out of having

the dogs and it's just wonderful. If you'd like to get involved

or just want to learn more, the charity is holding a fundraising

event this Saturday. It's the Great British Dog Walk,

it's a fantastic family day out. It's a sponsored dog walk event,

but it's suitable for everybody. You don't have to have a dog to take

part and children under 11 are free. Already we've got 200 people

confirmed and we are expecting a lot more to just turn up on the day,

there's still space is available. There's walks to suit all abilities,

so whether you are coming with ten legs, six or maybe just two,

the charity wants your help to make sure everybody can

hear about their work. You can e-mail us with any stories

at... Now more of today's

stories with Sally Taylor. The Conservative MP and former

Defence Minister has represented the constituency

for the past 20 years. Later in the programme

Alexis is looking ahead Lovely spring sunshine this weekend.

All eyes looking forward to next week in the Arctic air.

It was meant to offer a new style of rail tickets

But a government-led smart card scheme to replace paper tickets has

run millions of pounds over budget and failed to deliver -

Our transport correspondent Paul Clifton has more.

The idea was to help passengers move to smart cards, including flexible

season tickets for people who commute part time. It has not gone

well. The original cast was put at ?45 million. The final bill was 54

million. Plus a further 66 million to make London ticket machines read

mainline smart cards. The business case relied on 95% of season-ticket

holders switching. So far 8% have done so. The government has failed

on the 2015 manifesto commitment. Failed on bringing a promised back

in 2015 to bring flexible ticketing. At the same time they wasted is an

astonishing amount of tax payers money on a smart and flexible

ticketing scheme which has delivered almost nothing for passengers. 11

train operators were to offer smart cards. Only five do so. Only one

offers a flexible part-time option. Southern, Gatwick Express and South

West Trains have done smart cards there own way. The back-office

functions that make them work do not rely on the government system. This

month the Department for Transport has ended the south-east flexible

ticket programme, saying the private sector should lead the way. The

bottom line is that train companies and the government have not come

together with a common standard across the network. They have fallen

a decade behind the bus industry, where smart cards are standard.

Three years ago the London Underground moved on to contactless

bank cards, a runaway success. Yet millions of two metres, four years

to come, will use paper tickets. Something the Victorians who built

this railway would still recognise. Drivers faced long delays on the

Adrian Surrey tunnel. Bail out back north bound for a time. Nobody was

hurt, structural engineers have been checking the tunnel today.

The Solent was once the biggest oyster fishery in Europe.

450 boats caught 15 million oysters a year in the 1970s.

But overfishing killed the industry and the last fishery shut in 2013.

Now an attempt is under way to bring sustainable oyster fishing back.

Hundreds of baby oysters are being put into the water

Here's our business correspondent Alastair Fee.

These oysters carry the hopes of environmentalists,

On a pontoon at the Hamble - volunteers were today weighing,

measuring and then carefully returning them to the sea.

Most of them will be prisoners the idea is silent. Through overfishing

and disease, predation, the native oyster almost died out in the 2013,

the fisheries closed because of his stock

The broadcaster Ben Fogle - a former Portsmouth student and keen

conservationist was among those helping out.

We hope these oysters will change the whole dynamic of the silent.

Improving the water quality, bringing back bringing injection

into the economy, tourism. The cost of a dozen succulent oysters is a

relatively common problem for the gourmet.

Intensive fishing of oysters began in the 19th century.

At it's peak the industry kept 700 men at sea.

But the native Oyster population has halved in the last 25 years.

This year one million oysters will be re-introduced to the Solent.

Every month at six locations they will be studied

It knew that these ponds in mean on the monitor them easily.

Assuming these young molluscs are back in abundance.The ambition

is to have a sustainable fishery back in business in ten years.

A big milestone's been reached in the campaign to create

a new children's emergency department in Southampton.

A million pounds has now been raised.

The appeal has been helped by a charity set up by the actors

The couple became involved after the care received

by their baby daughter Ella-Jayne, who sadly died at just eight months

Fresh from our screens in ITV's Broadchurch,

actor Sarah Parish enjoys plenty of work and a high profile -

but it's this role which is closest to her heart, as a charity

It was the tragic loss of their baby daughter Ella-Jayne

which has closely linked the couple to Southampton General.

Sarah and James see a new hospital as her legacy.

They're at the forefront of a push to build a brand new emergency

department in southampton, just for children.

When your Child is in an accident you want them to get the best care

this trauma centre will give them back. Specialist x-ray rooms, 11

observation areas. Anything a child needs when they are critically ill,

this place will have. Giving them the best chance of survival.

Today was about celebrating the money already raised -

which takes the total to one million pounds.

We provide a major trauma so if dealing with seriously injured

children from the Channel Islands was an environment

where the people can work effectively for them.

At the moment the building is an empty shell and there's

a lot of hard work ahead There's still one and a half million pounds

The search is on four major donors, businesses or individuals prepared

to donate hundreds of thousands of pounds for none naming rights, a

plaque above the door. Still ?1.5 million to raise in just over one

year. Going from strength to strength.

Onto sport, and Michael Eisner, the man who wants to buy

Portsmouth Football Club, is to come to the city to make

a personal pitch to shareholders before they vote on his offer

The former Disney Chief Executive and his family

will talk to members of the Pompey Supporters Trust

at the city's Guildhall on Thursday May the fourth.

Voting packs will be sent out to shareholders next Monday.

The ballot will close on May the 19th.

Meanwhile, after clinching promotion to the Premier League on Monday,

Brighton Hove Albion are being honoured with a civic

Tens of thousands of fans who're probably only just recovering

from Monday's celebrations, will be able to cheer their heroes

again on Sunday May the 14th as they parade along the seafront

The exact route and timings for the bus tour are

A win for the Albion tomorrow night against Norwich would see them

Thousands of runners are preparing for the 2017

For Chris Arthey from Godalming, Sunday will be the fifth

But it will be the first time he's run it since being involved

I lost my spleen, broken ribs, punctured lung, bad concussion. We

both had broken arms and hands. Denise's lead was lost straightaway.

While fulfilling a lifetime ambition to ride a motorbike across America,

in 2008, they were hit by a drunk driver, veering into their lane at

80 miles an hour. Crisp' left leg was very badly damaged. They put me

in a medically induced coma, tried to save the leg, but after ten days

that did not work out. They took my leg. Chris had always competed in

enduring sports. Denise made this promise to is surging. He will run

another marathon. That is his drive, he is a runner. That does not

change, losing your leg does not change EU are. I knew he would do it

again. This leg I am wearing is a walking leg. The breakthrough came

from Chris when he found the right prostatic to compete with. For

running a use this one, same socket, but it has no need. It has this

blade, which you can bounce on. With a sole unit fitted. Before the

accident Chris had completed five of the world marathon majors, Boston,

Berlin, Chicago, New York and London. His personal best time was

just under three hours. He is setting himself a tough target for

this Sunday as well. The training has gone fairly well. Four and a

half hours plus a bit, I would be very happy. It has been a long road

to recovery, the only thing that should hold Chris' progress on

Sunday is the finish line. Good luck to Chris and already taking part in

the London marathon this weekend. The world's strongest man

was in Southampton today Zydrunas Savickas was flipping tyres

with Aaron Page from Southampton. It'll be one of the most difficult

disciplines in the Ultimate Strongman World Series UK qualifier

being held at St Mary's in June. When I was 13 years old I came to

strongman competition. For me, something amazing. I decided I

wanted to be strong. It is good to compete. Nice when people enjoy it.

He is handy if you break down! I would have in my car. Carrying

tyres. Change my diet. Onto the weather. What we talking

about, Arctic chills. We have some really cold air coming in next week.

A chance we could have wintry showers, bitterly cold. Gardeners,

beware. Steve Regan photographed the sunset

at Man O'War beach in Dorset. Jacqueline Rackham's dog

Louis enjoyed running And Ryan Curtis took this picture of

Christchurch Harbour from the air. Lovely sunny spells today, a fair

amount of cloud as well. This evening we are seeing the sunshine,

cloud returning overnight. One macro clear spells. We could see some mist

and fog patches. Where the cloud is thickest, the odd spot of drizzle.

Temperature is not as cold as last night. Dipping to around five

Celsius. Fairly cloudy start of the day. But. But the degree of Doctor

bridges reaching 14- get border tomorrow. A good deal of cloud

tomorrow. The odd spot of drizzle. One or two macro clear spells

allowing mist of folk to form. Foremost we're looking at lows of

9-10dC. Quite a cloudy start to the weekend. We will see the cloud

gradually thin and break thanks to this cold front moving southwards.

The odd spot of rain for eastern parts of Bucks. Otherwise dry, more

in the way of sunshine for the afternoon and evening. Through the

course of Saturday, high pressure building behind me. That will settle

things down. Overnight Saturday cold air is settling in. Next week old is

still in from the Arctic. Some wintry showers through the course of

Monday. In fact more so on Tuesday evening and overnight into

Wednesday. One or two macro showers possible through the course of the

weekend. Staying mainly dry. A good deal of cloud tomorrow, and also the

start of the" right running up in the afternoon. Lovely spells of

sunshine on Sunday. Monday the odd spot of rain, thunder storms

possible on Tuesday. Two Maronite we will take a look

around a 15 foot model of Winchester, finding out why this

action may labour of love for the person who made it. Thanks for

watching.