Community

Warner Leisure Refurbishment of Heythrop Park

Enstone Parish Council met with Overbury (chosen contractor), Lichfields and Warner Leisure to discuss the traffic plan for contractors vehicles during the refurbishment. This is anticipated to start in September/October and be finished mid 2022. The Hotel will be closed during this period so there will little customer traffic.

Overbury estimate that during phase 1 there would be between 20 – 80 delivery vehicles a day. During the main phase of construction large deliveries of materials are not anticipated due to storage and material management and this will reflect on small vehicle choice. To minimise vehicle movements the following will be implemented:

  • Encourage car sharing.
  • Encourage delivery companies to be members of FORS (operators achieving best practice in safety, efficiency and environmental protection).
  • Operate on on-line booking system to minimise on site congestion. 

The area around The Drive entrance to Heythrop Park has been assessed as the main traffic route by Overbury and the Parish Council has agreed to the proposed traffic plan for deliveries:

Delivery to The Drive entrance from A44:

  • From Chipping Norton – along B4030 (Bicester Road).
  • From Oxford – along The Drive.

Delivery from The Drive entrance to A44:

  • Along The Drive to the Art Yard Cafe.

The Parish Council will be monitoring the impact on roads throughout this period and will appoint a councillor to act as liaison for the duration. Progress will be reported through the Ensign, Parish website and Facebook page.

July 14, 2021 in Building Projects, Community, Road Safety, Traffic Management

1st Charlbury Scout Group – Volunteers

The local Scout Group close to Enstone, with spaces is Charlbury Scout Group and they are advertising for volunteers. There are already young people from Enstone who attend and room for more so if you are interested please get in touch.

Cheryl – 1stcharlburyscouts@gmail

HQ: Nine Acres Ln, Charlbury, OX7 3RD

Meeting Times:
Beavers Thursday 5.00 – 6.15
Cubs Thursday 6.30 – 8.00
Scouts Thursday 7.00 – 8.30

Preparing young people with skills for life.

Charlbury Scouts nearest to Enstone want volunteers
May 18, 2021 in Community, Lifestyle, Recreation

Enstone Pre-School – Opening Planning

The long-established village Pre School sadly closed down in December 2020, but since then the Governing Body of Enstone Primary School has been conducting a feasibility study into the possibility of re-opening the setting under Governor Powers.  This has been a complicated process but the school is excited to report that they are making very positive progress and are very hopeful of getting the facility back up and running for September 2021. 

In order to help with forward planning, school are asking interested parties to complete a “test” application form, to help establish potential numbers and make decisions about staffing levels.  If you have a child who will be 3 or 4 years of age by 1st September 2021, or who will turn 3 years of age during the academic year 2021-22, they would love to hear from you.  If you would be interested in sending your child to Enstone Pre School, please visit the school website to complete the necessary form.  It may be found here: https://enstone-primary-school.secure-primarysite.net/enstone-pre-school/

Please send completed forms by Wednesday 19th May 2021.  

We hope that with the support of our community we will soon have the Pre School back at the heart of our village! 

Mrs S Mann, Head Teacher

May 10, 2021 in Community, Teaching

Oxfordshire Residents thanked for COVID caution and encouraged to keep getting tested

People across Oxfordshire are being thanked for their continued willingness to abide by the national roadmap rules that have allowed a gradual easing of restrictions during March and early April.

This is reflected in the number of new cases in Oxfordshire, which although showing slight variations over the past fortnight, has now dropped to 33.1 per 100,000 of the population.

Alongside following the rules and the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing forms an essential part of the government’s roadmap plan. From 9 April, everyone in England will be able to access free, rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests for themselves and their families to use twice a week. This paves the way for businesses and society reopening.

Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: “We’ve reached a new stage of navigating our way out of lockdown by being cautious and careful to keep the virus under control. However, the rules are only as good as people abiding by them. In the large majority of cases, that has happened, and we thank people for their efforts.

“Schools are now open, people are able to meet outdoors and on 12 April non-essential retail, beer gardens and libraries are to open. That’s real progress which has been achieved by individuals, families and friends taking responsibility for their own actions. You only need to think back to December and January to understand how much effort we’ve put in to getting this far.

“We would ask everyone to continue to take great care and abide by the rules as they change. The virus is still circulating and still presents a danger. We’ve all seen what happens when the virus is given opportunities – we had the rise in cases last autumn followed by the even larger rises in the winter. With more and more people being vaccinated we are consolidating our position against the virus every day – but it is a gradual process, not an overnight event.

“Alongside following the rules and the rollout of the vaccine, regular testing is an essential part of the easing of restrictions as it will help us quickly suppress the spread of variants. I would encourage everyone to get tested on a regular basis, even if you’ve had the vaccine.”

One in three people with COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus without knowing. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately and help stop the spread.

The expanded regular testing offer for people without symptoms will be delivered through:

  • Workplace testing programmes, on-site or at home
  • Secondary school and college testing on-site or through home test kits provided
  • Community testing at symptom-free sites
  • Collection of home test kits from any local testing site (symptom (PCR) sites and symptom-free sites)
  • A home ordering service, which allows people to order lateral flow tests online to be delivered to their home.

A new ‘pharmacy collect’ service is also launching, which will provide an additional route to regular testing. Testing through all these routes is free.

For further information about the options available, visit NHS.UK/get-tested.

If testing at home, individuals need to register their results online or by calling 119.

Anyone who tests positive will need to self-isolate immediately and book asecond PCR test. A self-isolation information pack is available to provide advice and support.

If you test negative, you must continue to follow social distancing guidelines, wear a mask in public and regularly wash your hands.

Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should book a test online or by calling 119.

What are the rule changes on 12 April?

  • More businesses will open, but indoor settings should be visited alone, or with household groups. Outside, six people or two households can meet.
  • All shops will be allowed to open
  • Hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services can open
  • Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors
  • Gyms and spas can reopen, as can zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres
  • Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation
  • Weddings attended by up to 15 people can take place
  • Funerals can be attended by up to 30 people.
  • Children will be able to attend any indoor children’s activity
  • Care home visitors will increase to two per resident.
April 12, 2021 in Community, Lifestyle

A44-Closure / No-Waiting Notice – April

Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice – S14 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Road Closure and “No Waiting” restriction at Enstone, A44 Oxford Road

In the interests of public safety, it will be necessary for Oxfordshire County Council to close the road and impose a ‘No Waiting’ restriction as detailed above to facilitate carriageway surface dressing works.

A temporary Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and will operate from 26 April 2021.

The anticipated completion date is 28 April 2021, times of the closure are 05:00 to 07:30, 09:30 to 15:30 and 18:00 to 20:00

A Temporary Traffic Regulation Notice is being made to implement the temporary closure and restriction and will operate on the days shown above.

Please note that Notices for urgent works can last up to 5 consecutive days only.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

For a copy of the drawing showing the extent of the closure and restriction and also the alternative route for traffic click here – Road No-Waiting Notice, Enstone, A44.

April 12, 2021 in Community, Road Safety

Use of Recycling Centres over Easter

Residents urged to avoid recycling centres over busy Easter period

  • Temporary traffic management being brought in for four sites
  • Centres could close early if queues affect nearby roads
  • Late-night Thursday opening coming in from 1 April

Read the story on the Oxfordshire County Council website here or below:

Residents are being urged not to use Oxfordshire’s household waste and recycling centres (HWRCs) over the traditionally busy Easter holiday period if they can avoid doing so.

Alkerton, near Banbury will not have any additional measures nor will, Oakley Wood, near Wallingford; Dix Pit, and Stanton Harcourt, because these sites either have long lead-in roads which can sustain queueing and/or are not immediately adjacent to a main highway. However, all of these sites are still expected to be busy and may still close for short periods or early to allow the queues and sites to clear.

From Friday, 26 March, traffic control measures will be introduced at four of the county’s seven HWRCs for a three-week period, and centres will be closed early or for short periods in the day if queues start affecting surrounding roads. Late-night opening on Thursdays is also being reintroduced from 1 April, with centres staying open until 8pm to help the situation.

The HWRCs have been open for essential journeys only during lockdown but are operating at 50 per cent car parking capacity due to COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Easter is traditionally a busy time for our household waste and recycling centres, but this year we are asking people to defer their visits until after Easter if they possibly can. If you are certain your visit is absolutely essential then you must be aware that you run the risk of facing long queues and the possibility that the centre might be closed early if these queues start to affect nearby highways.”

The traffic control measures are being brought in at the following sites and dates:

Drayton, near Abingdon: There will be no right turn into the site other than for golf club members. Traffic will then be directed and stacked through the Drayton Golf Club car park. Marshalls will be on hand to offer guidance.

These restrictions will operate on the following dates (inclusive):

  • Friday 26 March to Monday 29 March
  • Friday 2 April to Monday 5 April
  • Friday 9 April to Monday 12 April

The site will operate normally Tuesday to Thursday, and at present it is intended to return to normal from 13 April.

Redbridge, Oxford: There will be no direct public access to the site off Old Abingdon Road. Traffic will be directed through the park-and-ride, following the road around the edge of the site and then being held and controlled at the exit which will be single file for the site (right-hand lane will be right turn only for the park-and-ride vehicles). Marshalls will be on hand at the exit of the park-and-ride and on Old Abingdon Road to offer guidance and direction.

These restrictions will operate on the following dates (inclusive):

  • Friday 26 March to Monday 29 March
  • Friday 2 April to Monday 5 April
  • Friday 9 April to Sunday 11 April

The site will operate normally Tuesday to Thursday, and at present it is intended to return to normal from Monday, 12 April, when access to the park-and-ride will not be possible.

Stanford in the Vale, near Faringdon, and Ardley, near Bicester: Restrictions will be in place preventing vehicles turning right into the site. It is intended the signs and restrictions will be in place from Friday, 26 March, until at least 12 April. Residents need to take this into account and only enter both sites from the right-hand carriageway turning left into the site.

Although these are temporary measures, the main message remains that people should only visit the HWRCs for essential journeys and should defer visits until after Easter if they can.

People who judge their journeys to be essential are urged to be patient and considerate to the HWRC staff and other users. Abuse of our site teams or marshalls will not be tolerated and may lead to refusal of entry and even banning orders. Please wear a mask on site if possible, keep your distance and, most importantly, stay safe.

Late night opening until 8pm on Thursdays are traditionally quieter periods and good way to avoid some of the queues. During the week, 8.30am until 10am and 12 noon – 1pm can also be quieter periods, although this cannot be guaranteed.

Householders are urged to maximise their kerbside collections rather than visit HWRCs. Residents can place additional recycling securely at the side of their bins, small electrical items – up to the size of a toaster – can also be put out separately with recycling collections.

HWRC users are asked to note the current site rules to ensure social distancing. These include:

  • One person allowed out the vehicle (two people if you have a heavy item).
  • We will only accept contactless payments for chargeable waste.
  • Site team members are currently not available to offer assistance, if you need assistance with items please bring someone else with you.

More information can be found here: Oxfordshire County Council’s FAQS: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wastereopenquestions

March 27, 2021 in Community