Cyclists and walkers are set to benefit from a concerted plan of action to clear and prepare the Oxfordshire’s network of cycleways and footpaths ready for the expected rises in demand as lockdown is very gradually relaxed.
As the people of Oxfordshire look to return to work and school during the Summer, cycling and walking will become more important than ever – both offer zero emission ways to travel which will improve health and wellbeing as well as helping to address the need to keep socially distant.

A recent survey of all 63 Oxfordshire County Councillors found that the need to improve cycling infrastructure was a standout priority in terms of how Oxfordshire’s share of the government’s £250m Emergency Active Travel grant fund should be spent.

Amongst other practical and quick to implement measures, such as improving signage and sweeping the busiest paths and cycle lanes, keeping vegetation under control and fixing surfaces feature in our immediate plans of work. This is all part of keeping the network safe to use for cyclists and pedestrians as lockdown restrictions ease but will also hopefully encourage more people to walk and cycle in the long term.

The county council is developing a programme of work for the county’s city, urban, suburban and rural areas.

In each case, the work will pay particular attention to narrower areas that might be widened for greater access. Paths where any surface improvement work will also be identified so repairs can be made. As we work through the programme residents can expect to see more measures like this being prioritised across the county.

Cllr Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "In the coming weeks and well beyond, our cycleways and footpaths will form a vital part of our recovery strategy. They will enable residents of all ages to safely travel to a range of locations. Now that cycling and walking have become so popular, we are committed to enabling residents to continue to cycle and walk as ongoing lifestyle choices."

If people encounter any issues whilst out walking, cycling or riding on the path network then these can be reported or checked on Oxfordshire County Council’s website. People can report a roadside vegetation problem, as well as other street problems, through our online reporting tool Fixmystreet.


URL : http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cycleways-and-footpaths-to-be-cleared-and-repaired-as-council-anticipates-demand-surge/

Young people are being urged to help shape the Council’s response to the climate emergency.
Students, schools and young people from across the district are invited to express their views and ideas in an online consultation www.westoxon.gov.uk/environment/climate-action

As part of that we have arranged a special competition which encourages them to get creative and send us their art to express how they feel about climate change and how their perfect, future world would look.
All entries will be considered whether working alone, with siblings or as a team of remotely-working friends. Our cross-party Climate Action Working Group will be judging the entries and sharing with you all their favourites, so it’s over to you. Submit your entries to us no later than Tuesday 30 June.
What does climate change mean for you?
Post your videos - songs, raps, poems, dance, whatever grabs you - to describe what climate change means for you. Let us know what you’d like to see happen to make a change for the better and help protect our natural world.
Share your videos with everyone by posting them here using this hashtag: #climateactionwoxon.
Your future world
If you love to draw, paint or take photographs, use the medium of art to describe your perfect, future world where we have come together and successfully tackled the issues of climate change.
What does your perfect world look like? Are we still driving cars? What do our buildings and homes look like? How do we heat and power them? What jobs are we doing? What technologies are we using? How are we living with nature? And what do our natural landscapes and pathways to school and work look like?
Your future world may be the whole planet or just your street. Release the artist in you and illustrate what you see.
Share your art with us and post it to:
Your Views on Climate Action
West Oxfordshire District Council
Council Offices
Witney
Oxfordshire
OX28 1NB
Or email to: Climate.Action@westoxon.gov.uk


Contact InformationWest Oxfordshire District Council Communications Team01993 861616
communications@westoxon.gov.uk

Staying safe online has never been more important than right now as we’re all spending more time on our phones, tablets, laptops and games consoles to stay in touch and keep our spirits up.
There is a risk with social media and games that have a chat option that someone that you don’t know could try to contact you, or add you as a friend or request to follow you. Remember, it’s ok to ignore their message or decline their request.
Thames Valley Police know that some criminals are using the lockdown to try and make contact with young people online, build up a friendship with them and then encourage them to do things that they don’t feel comfortable doing. Not everyone online is who they say they are, so don’t befriend people you don’t know.
Now is a good time to take a look at the privacy settings of the apps that you use. Check the default settings and make appropriate changes to keep yourself safe when you use them. Advice for over 60 of the most popular apps and games have been created by the NSPCC and O2 and can be found at www.net-aware.org.uk
If you are unsure about someone that you’re speaking to or if you see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe or worried walk away from your phone or computer and tell an adult immediately. This could be a friend, your parent, one of your teachers, the police or Childline.
You can contact the police on 101 or by going online at www.thamesvalley.police.uk/contact and you can contact Childline by calling 0800 1111 or chat online at www.childline.org.uk

During lockdown, many of us are turning online to stay in touch and this goes for children as well as adults. Sadly, some criminals are using these extraordinary circumstances as a way to exploit and target young people when they are online.
Thames Valley Police have seen an increase in reports of online sexual abuse involving children since movement restrictions were introduced and are urging parents to take this opportunity to have honest conversations about online safety with their children and to review privacy settings on the apps and social networks that they are using.
To support parents during COVID-19, the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection division are producing fortnightly activity packs to help discuss staying safe online with your children. These age-appropriate resources, containing two 15-minute activities for each age group, can be found at www.thinkuknow.co.uk

Oxfordshire County Council is to mark the historical milestone of Victory in Europe Day on 8th May with a series of video tributes from key people across the county.
Despite the restrictions of the lockdown, this remains an important moment for the nation and the tributes will begin with a video message online from Oxfordshire’s Lord Lieutenant Tim Stevenson at 2.50pm.

On 8th May 1945, Britain and its allies celebrated the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of Hitler's aggression. This formally recognised the end of the Second World War in Europe and became known as Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Plans to celebrate the 75th anniversary of VE Day have been severely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic with events either cancelled or postponed.

However, 8th May 2020 remains a Bank Holiday and many will participate in a planned national toast to the Heroes of World War Two at 3pm from the safety of our own homes.

Take part by raising a glass, cheering and clapping on your doorsteps and offer your tribute; The official toast is: "To those who gave so much, we thank you."

Other parts of Oxfordshire are also celebrating. In Oxford, The Lord Mayor Councillor Craig Simmons will start the VE Day celebrations at 11am for the nation’s two-minute silence from his doorstep. At 3pm he will raise a toast to the nation.

Cllr Andrew McHugh as the military champion for Cherwell District Council has recorded a message to celebrate VE Day which will feature on our Facebook page.

South Oxfordshire and Vale of the White Horse district councils are running a campaign to encourage staff, councillors and residents to get creative: making red, white and/or blue cakes, buns or muffins, dress their houses/pets/selves up to celebrate the end of the conflict – and to get residents to join in the government’s garden party, and submit to us their photos on social media, which will be shared in a big photo montage. Make your submissions to: communications@southandvale.gov.uk

Witney Town Council also has a series of virtual events including a concert by Voicebox Choir who were due to have performed live in Witney Market Square. Further information here: http://www.witney-tc.gov.uk/news/witney-plans-for-a-virtual-ve-day-75-commemoration/.

Schedule: VE Day 75 8th May 2020

11am - 2 minutes silence for a national moment of remembrance

11.15am - Join the Royal British Legion VE Day Livestream

2.50pm – Watch Oxfordshire’s Lord Lieutenant’s message on our Facebook page: https://tinyurl.com/y98mdzsu

6.00pm: Christchurch Cathedral Oxford: listen to a VE Day Evensong from this historic place of worship: https://www.chch.ox.ac.uk/oxfords-cathedral/online-worship

9pm - Her Majesty The Queen will send a message to the nation on BBC One, at 9pm, the same time her father, King George VI, gave a radio address in 1945.

Followed by a national singalong of Dame Vera Lynn's We'll Meet Again.Open your doors and join in with this national moment of celebration.

9-10th May: Oxfordshire County Council continues VE Day 75:

Keep following the 75th anniversary as our Facebook page features video messages from Oxfordshire’s council leaders as well as contributions from active duty personnel in the Royal Air Force and Army across Oxfordshire. The videos will be uploaded across both days and can be watched at: https://tinyurl.com/y98mdzsu



We will also be presenting a range of photos on our Oxfordshire County Council Twitter account that residents have submitted to us of locations across Oxfordshire that played a part in World War Two. Follow us @OxfordshireCC


Stay Safe, Stay at Home:


Please do not to travel or hold any gatherings that go against the stay home rules. Everyone must stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. www.gov.uk/coronavirus 


The best way for everyone to protect themselves and others from illness is to stay at home. If you are leaving your home for exercise once a day, please stay local and use open spaces near to your home.


Further resources:


Poster/bunting template

• Great British bunting template - BBC

Learning resources

• Imperial War Museum - What you need to know about VE Day
• Royal British Legion - VE Day Learning Resources
• BBC History - End of WW2
• VE Day 75 Resources

URL : http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-to-mark-the-75th-anniversary-of-victory-in-europe/