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Karate kids strike blow for equality EVERYONE has heard of Bruce Lee, Karate Kid and Kung Fu Panda and a local karate school aims to spread that fun and knowledge with disabled and disadvantaged people. Ikkaido, also known as the Disability Karate Federation, uses the power of martial arts to educate people all over Oxfordshire. Last week, the students attended a grading session at the Park Club in Milton Park, where they were given coloured belts according to their experience. Now in its fi fth year, Ikkaido aims to educate disabled and disadvantaged people as coaches and mentors, while also providing apprenticeships in martial arts.
Group warns plans to extend road could destroy woodland By Eva Astreinidou CAMPAIGNERS are concerned plans to extend a road in Didcot will lead to destruction of woodland and nature in the area. The Didcot northern perimeter road will offer new links to the west of the town, including a new rail crossing from the of the power station to the Great Western Park development, as
well as a new roundabout to Abingdon Road. The group ‘stop Didcot perimeter road extension’ are campaigning against the plans, saying they would be destructive to nearby woodland. Ingo SchĂźder, a Didcot Ladygrove resident who is chairing the group, said: “We acknowledge there is an issue with noise and pollution on Abingdon Road, but putting people
elsewhere into misery is not the answer. “We believe wider area alternatives to the extension have not been considered and that the proposal is a short-term solution that will make things worse for people in Didcot.â€? Mr SchĂźder, a trained ecologist who has advised local authorities on the development of green space, said that Furlong woodland contributes to
residents’ quality of life. He said the woodland is full of wildlife including European protected species. The new route is designed to help Didcot’s traffic hotspots as well as deal with the additional 10,000-plus new dwellings that are planned for the area over the next 15 years. The last consultation in 2016 collected 31 objections, with residents saying they are worried about flood-
ing and the impact on wildlife and the value of houses in the area. Others objected on the grounds of ‘severe and unacceptable’ impact on properties in the Frith and Furlongs. A spokesman for South Oxfordshire District Council said: “People’s views are very important to us, which is why we have been consulting on the South Oxfordshire Local Plan.� The consultation came to an end yesterday.
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