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Is it the final curtain for Sherlock Holmes? Super sleuth at Oxford Playhouse
Thursday, May 24 - Wednesday, May 30, 2018
Free
oxfordshireguardian.co.uk
Declutter and help Helen & Douglas House
League of Friends raises record amount
Weekly leisure guide for in and around Oxford
leisure time in &
United’s year: New boss in to steady ship
Page 16
Page 2
Sport
Government urged to act to EVERY TRADE SECRET SECRET inPRcity improveTRADE air quality ICE R T, I E K I L , T SEE I T, TAKE YI BUHughes By Owen AYdelivery IT AarW range OXFORD residents’ health is at risk from the government’s we can lack of action or illegal to tackle levels of air pollution. Consistently high levels of air pollution in the UK resulted in the country’s referral to the European Court of Justice last week. Oxford City Council is one of 45 councils listed in the 2017 Air Quality Action Report requiring more action to tackle air pollution. A report produced by Oxfordshire MEP Keith Taylor revealed 24 of Oxford’s 70 monitoring sites have NO2 pollution levels above EU legal limits of 40 micrograms per cubic metre. Mr Taylor said: “The European Commission is being forced to take legal action against the UK because the Government remains steadfastly apathetic in the face of a public health crisis that is linked to the deaths of 50,000 British citizens every year.” Julia Spragg, a Greenpeace volunteer in Oxford, said: “It’s great Oxford City and Oxfordshire County Council are facilitating practical trials of new technologies that help our move towards a low carbon, low pollution transport system. “But central government has to be much more ambitious about giving councils statutory powers and providing realistic funding for local
OUTLET FURNITURE WAREHOUSE
OUTLET FURNITURE WAREHOUSE OUTLET FURNITURE WAREHOUSE In the market
government so our local councils can take serious action on air pollution.” Councillor Tom Hayes, executive board member for safer and greener environment, said the council welcomes the decision to refer the UK to Europe’s highest court. He said Oxford City Council “share the European Union’s commitment to standing up for our basic right to breathe clean air”. “We strongly believe – given Oxford’s toxic and illegal levels of air pollution in some streets – that urgent action is needed,” he said. “Every year there are tens of thousands of early deaths from dirty air in the UK; the benefits of cleaner air in Oxford are obvious.” Oxford is proposing the world’s fi rst Zero Emission Zone from 2020 in a bid to tackle air pollution levels. “We need Government support, particularly to help fund the installation of more electric vehicle charging points in Oxford,” Cllr Hayes added. “We hope the announcement by the European Commission encourages the government to strengthen its upcoming Clean Air Strategy and work even more closely with us.” Oxford City Council secured £3.25million from the government to tackle air pollution in the city with ministers pledging to provide “a more formal approach” in March.
EDUCE
to celebrate
D
OUR ʻMERRY MONTH OF MAYʼ SALE EVENT MUST END 5PM BANK TH HOLIDAY MONDAY - 28 MAY
THE cakes may not have been quite as grand as that enjoyed by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at their wedding but they were just as well received by shoppers in Oxford’s Covered Market on Saturday as traders gave out a variety of free treats to help celebrate the big day. More pictures on pages 6&7
EVERY PRICE REDUCED
0% AP More printed copies than any other weekly newspaper in Oxfordshire (16,103 audited JICREG pending) R FINAN C AVAILA E BLE
OVER 3,000 ITEMS IN STOCK
HIGH STREET NAMES + FAMOUS DOT.COM BRANDS
WHAT WE DO IS SIMPLE – WE BUY ORDER CANCELLATIONS, END OF LINES AND RETURNS FROM SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS HIGH STREET STORES INCLUDING JOHN LEWIS AND OTHER LEADING BRAND NAMES AND SELL THEM UP TO 60% OFF THE RRP.
Unit 6 Twyford Mill, Adderbury, Nr Banbury OX17 3SX Just minutes from junction 11 off the M40 - AMPLE FREE PARKING t www.trade-secret.co.uk