Martin Eastaugh

Low water levels on the River Thames are harming businesses near Oxford, with Cotswold Boat Hire owner Greg Wheeler warning that boats are being damaged on sandbars and could become stranded within weeks without significant rain. The Environment Agency has advised boaters to share locks, avoid unnecessary journeys and not use drinking-water points to wash vessels. Environmental groups Thames21 and the Rivers Trust warn that drought is reducing oxygen levels, killing fish and exposing broader weaknesses in water and land management. They call for measures including on-farm reservoirs, healthier soils, restored floodplains and better water storage. Water minister Emma Hardy says the government is responding through drought planning, infrastructure investment, new reservoirs and pressure on water companies to reduce leaks and protect supplies.

Truck Festival has opened in Steventon, Oxfordshire, with organisers expecting a record 27,500 attendees over the weekend. The 2026 festival runs from 23 to 26 July and features headliners including The Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club and The Wombats, while early-access visitors saw a performance by CMAT. Organisers are urging festival-goers to stay hydrated, seek shade and use suncream during unusually warm and dry UK weather.

Property sales in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse have faced long delays due to a major IT system upgrade affecting mandatory land searches. Residents and estate agents report months-long hold-ups, leading to stress, financial disruption, and stalled house moves. The councils apologised, describing the upgrade as complex and stating that additional resources are being deployed to clear the backlog and restore normal service.

A new Oxfordshire transport study has raised concerns among campaigners who argue that heavy rail is not being prioritised despite previous reports favouring reinstating a railway line between Oxford, Witney and Carterton. Railfuture Thames Valley said earlier studies strongly supported a rail link, while local MP Charlie Maynard also described rail as the most sensible solution amid growing congestion and major housing expansion. Oxfordshire County Council said the study will evaluate all transport options, including rail, light rail and guided busways, while acknowledging that existing rail assessments need updating.

A Banbury woman credits a mobile lung cancer screening service with detecting her tumour early after a symptom‑free scan in a supermarket car park. The Thames Valley lung cancer screening programme, running since 2022, has conducted more than 17,000 scans and identified 169 cancers, most at early stages. Health officials aim to expand the service to all eligible residents by 2030, highlighting early detection as key to improving survival rates.

A Banbury woman credits a supermarket-based mobile lung screening unit with detecting her cancer early, allowing successful keyhole surgery. The Thames Valley Lung Cancer Screening Programme, running since 2022, has conducted more than 17,000 CT scans and identified 169 cancers, most at an early stage. Programme leaders emphasise the importance of early detection as lung cancer remains the UK’s deadliest cancer. The initiative continues to expand across the region with the aim of full eligibility by 2030.