Oxfordshire Live: Thursday 2 February

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The A44 has been partially closed in Woodstock this evening after a van hit a bridge wall.

Emergency services are on the scene, but traffic is queuing in both directions between Brook Hill junction and the Vermont Drive junction. 

BBCCopyright: BBC

Proposals to downgrade a consultant-led maternity unit at the Horton General Hospital in Banbury permanently will be referred to health secretary Jeremy Hunt.

The proposal was made by Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) due to a shortage of doctors. 

The county council's Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee will send the proposal to the Department of Health, which could pass the decision to an Independent Review Panel. 

Keep the Horton General chairman Keith Strangewood said: "This is a very positive result for the 180,000 people of Banbury that we represent."

You might of heard of doing the Lambeth Walk, but have you ever heard of doing a Scandinavian yomp?

Well Oxford City Council is promoting the "full-body exercise" regime with a new four-week course, starting in Cutteslowe Park on 19 February. 

The exercise has been described as "walking on four legs" - which sounds more like a crawl. 

If you're interested you have to book in advance. 

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Oxford University took the lowest proportion of state educated students in 2015/16.

The institution took 55.7% of students from state schools and colleges, compared to 57.7% five years ago in 2011/12.

Overall, nearly 90% of young full-time undergraduates from the UK - who started courses at British universities in 2015/16 - were educated in the state sector.

Quote Message: We are aware that there is still progress to be made, and we will continue to work hard to encourage more successful applications from under-represented groups. from Dr Samina Khan Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach, Oxford University

We are aware that there is still progress to be made, and we will continue to work hard to encourage more successful applications from under-represented groups.

A £4.9m new sports park at Horspath Road in Oxford has been granted planning permission. 

The facility, across 39 acres of land, will include three football grass pitches, two cricket pitches, and two artificial football pitches.

BMW has agreed to provide £4.9m to fund the project, which replaces a sports ground that was previously run by the Rover Sports and Social Club.

Oxford City CouncilCopyright: Oxford City Council

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A patient's bid to challenge the closure of a medical centre in West Oxfordshire has been rejected by a judge. 

Yvonne De Burgo had claimed Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group failed to consult patients of Deer Park Medical Centre properly.

It is due shut 24 March 2017, after a new contract could not be agreed with Virgin Care.

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Earlier we told you about some of the problems affecting GPs in Oxfordshire.

In total, 21 GPs are working well into retirement according to NHS Digital and another 38 are due to retire in the next three years.

The chairman of Oxfordshire's Clinical Commissioning Group, Joe McManners, is a GP in Oxford and has been telling BBC Radio Oxford they "can't do everything".

Quote Message: The amount that GPs are expected to do has being going up and up and up....and as we have seen greater pressures on hospitals and social care the general practice system acts as a bit of a safety net. from Joe McManners Chairman of Oxfordshire CCG

The amount that GPs are expected to do has being going up and up and up....and as we have seen greater pressures on hospitals and social care the general practice system acts as a bit of a safety net.

A former scout leader from Kidlington has been convicted of child sex offences.

Garry Lane, 52, of Fairfax Road, pleaded guilty to two counts of raping a child under 13 years old.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault on a child under 13 years old, and one of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

The offences against two boys took place between 1 January 2015 and 30 November 2015. 

Quote Message: What Lane has put the victims and their families and loved-ones through is horrendous. The courage the victims have shown means no one else has to suffer at the hands of Lane from Rhys Bevan Child Abuse Investigation Unit, Thames Valley Police

What Lane has put the victims and their families and loved-ones through is horrendous. The courage the victims have shown means no one else has to suffer at the hands of Lane

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The company behind the demolition of Didcot A Power Station has recorded a 22% drop in profits after a building collapsed killing four men.

Coleman and Company made just over £1m to the year ending April 2016.

Operator RWE NPower cut short its demolition contract in October due to the ongoing investigation. 

The cause of the collapse is still being investigated, and directors of Coleman and Company believe their insurers will cover any financial claims resulting from the collapse.

Thames Valley PoliceCopyright: Thames Valley Police

Wantage MP Ed Vaizey has been raising concerns about the impact of the UK's departure from the European Atomic Agency.

Britain will be leaving EURATOM when it leaves the European Union.

Some at the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy fear it could affect their jobs.

Mr Vaizey has been meeting Greg Clark, Secretary of State for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, to discuss the issue.

MPs voted last night to allow the PM to begin the Brexit process.

MPs backed the European Union Bill by 498 votes to 114, with 47 Labour rebels voting against.

All of Northamptonshire's MPs, all Conservative, voted in favour of the bill, and some took to Twitter to give their reaction...

It'll be wet and cloudy at times today, though there should be some drier and brighter periods. 

While it will be relatively mild, it may not feel it in the strong wind. 

Highs of 12C (54F)

Several people have contacted West Oxfordshire District Council after receiving bogus calls about their council tax.

They said the callers from the 'Claims Review Bureau' offered to get their council tax reduced in exchange for a fee of around £80.

But West Oxfordshire District Council says anyone can appeal against their council tax band for free by contacting it's District Valuation Office.

Quote Message: This is a scam and residents must ensure they do not pass on any financial or personal details to these callers. from Cllr Toby Morris Member for Resources

This is a scam and residents must ensure they do not pass on any financial or personal details to these callers.

Travelling along the A34 can be painful at times, but it might be a little easier in future.

£18m has been secured from the government for a "diamond junction" at Lodge Hill.

The move has been welcomed by Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood, whose office says it will help divert traffic and ease queues.

Quote Message: A diamond junction at Lodge Hill is now more important than ever, and I am delighted that the government have made this funding available to relieve major congestion in Abingdon and along the route of the A34. from Nicola Blackwood MP for Oxford West and Abingdon

A diamond junction at Lodge Hill is now more important than ever, and I am delighted that the government have made this funding available to relieve major congestion in Abingdon and along the route of the A34.