Increased calls for £7bn EWR line to stop at UK Universal Theme Park

Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption.

        September 4, 2026

Increased calls for £7bn EWR line to stop at UK Universal Theme Park

Good Morning Oxfordshire — 2026-09-04

There are growing calls for more train services to run directly to Universal's planned UK theme park.
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Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot, Witney, Bicester and Banbury in one morning read
 Friday 4 September 2026 Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot, Witney, Bicester and Banbury in one morning read · Your Friday local briefing
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Lead Story
Increased calls for £7bn EWR line to stop at UK Universal Theme Park
• There are growing calls for more train services to run directly to Universal's planned UK theme park.
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Almanac · Daily readings
Today in Oxfordshire
Conditions in your area this morning.
Oxfordshire
20°C
Overcast · High 21° · Low 15°
Wind
15mph
Fresh
Sources
32
checked for today
Events
49
today to next 14 days
Local news · 7 stories
The local news that matters this morning
Here's the local news from the past 24 hours, made easy to digest.
Herald Series - News (Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage) · yesterday
Schools send guidance letters ahead of Harry and Meghan's Cotswolds return
• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly enrolled their children in a Cotswolds school, prompting guidance letters to parents on what to do.
Bicester Advertiser - News (Bicester) · Local news · yesterday
Cyclists allowed through High Street after controversial trial approved
• Oxfordshire County Council has made permanent a trial allowing cyclists through Bicester's Sheep Street, with new safety measures planned.
Herald Series - News (Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage) · Local news · yesterday
Free National Trust entry across Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire
• As part of England's Heritage Open Days festival, the National Trust is offering free entry to several historic properties across Oxfordshire.
Witney Gazette - News (Witney, West Oxfordshire) · Local news · yesterday
Probe launched as Cotswolds resident 'threatened' in 'burglary'
• Thames Valley Police has launched the investigation after it was reported that a resident was "threatened" during a "burglary" in the Cotswolds.
Witney Gazette - News (Witney, West Oxfordshire) · Local news · yesterday
Simon Cowell replaced on America's Got Talent after 10 years amid health issue
• Simon Cowell has been replaced on America's Got Talent after 10 years amid health issues.
Oxford Mail · Local news · yesterday
UK pub manager 'stabbed to death' in Germany sees homicide investigation
• A UK pub manager with Oxfordshire links has reportedly been "stabbed to death" in Germany, with Bavarian Police launching a homicide investigation.
Oxford Mail · Local news · yesterday
'P***ed off' Jeremy Clarkson threatens thieves as 11 sheep stolen from farm
• Jeremy Clarkson says he is "p***ed off" and has threatened thieves after 11 of his sheep were stolen from Oxfordshire's Diddly Squat Farm.
Local utility · Practical note
Daily source desk
Primary sources checked for today's edition. Use these links to verify records, consultations, travel changes and local service updates.
Resident Desk · official
Public notices and resident checks
Council, planning, travel and official-source items that make this edition useful beyond the headlines.
Official notice: Cherwell District Council. Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption. Open source ->Official notice: Oxford City Council. Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption. Open source ->Official notice: Oxford City Council planning applications. Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption. Open source ->Official notice: Oxfordshire County Council. Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption. Open source ->Official notice: South Oxfordshire District Council. Checked today for council records, public notices, consultations, transport changes, openings or service disruption. Open source ->
What's On · 49 items
What's on: next 14 days
A quick-view of 49 priority public listings from 49 tracked events over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.
14 Sep · The Bullingdon + Plush + Cowley Retreat + Black Swan + James Street Tavern25% OFF SUMMER SALE TICKET ULTIMATE OXFORD BROOKES FRESHERS 2026 Official Student Partners with BoohooMAN FREE T-Shirt with Every Ticket! Sold Out 15 years Running!4 Sep · Examination Schools, University of OxfordFrancis Fukuyama IN THE REALM OF THE LAST MAN with Nigel Warburton7 Sep · The Sheldonian TheatreFREE CONCERT - HANDEL'S MESSIAH7 Sep · Sheldonian Theatre, University of OxfordHANDEL’S MESSIAH at The Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford11 Sep · Old Fire Station, OxfordLaura Lexx: Yo-Yo Oxford12 Sep · Blackwell's BookshopMiriam Margolyes BOOK SIGNING5 Sep · OX2 9DGOxford - 'FREE' - MUSLIM MARRIAGE EVENT14 Sep · Plush OxfordOxford Big Freshers Icebreaker - Presented by FOOTASYLUM - UK Largest Freshers Events - Sold Out 10 Years Running13 Sep · Various VenuesOxford Freshers 2026 Wristband15 Sep · Plush OxfordOxford Freshers Welcome Week - ABBA Wonderland - Sold out 10 years running!13 Sep · Plush OxfordOxford Freshers Welcome Week 2026 - UK Largest Freshers Events - Sold Out 10 Years Running7 Sep · St Giles', OxfordOXFORD ST GILES Family Fun Fair4 Sep · Folly Bridge, OxfordOxford: Evening Cocktail Cruise - Daily12 Sep · Slug & Lettuce - OxfordPaint and Sip - Mt Fuji | Slug and Lettuce Oxford12 Sep · Wadham CollegeR60: One with the Earth – 60th anniversary of Resurgence4 Sep · Sheldonian Theatre, University of OxfordRobert Harris — Agrippa | An Evening at the Sheldonian7 Sep · Blackwell's BookshopRowan Williams with Philip Goff WHY?12 Sep · New Theatre OxfordSam Campbell Live in Oxford4 Sep · The Big SocietyTAMASHA 2.04 Sep · New Theatre OxfordThe Archers: Live at 75 in Oxford15 Sep · O2 Academy OxfordTHE FRESHERS RAVE FT DR BANANA11 Sep · Oxford Town HallThe Music Of Phil Collins - The Candlelight Concert - Oxford Town Hall13 Sep · The Bullingdon + Plush + Cowley Retreat + Black Swan + James Street TavernULTIMATE OXFORD BROOKES FRESHERS 2026 Sold Out 15 years Running! FREE T-Shirt with Every Ticket!12 Sep · O2 Academy OxfordWelcome To Oxford Brookes4 Sep · Oxfordshire, Oxfordshire, United KingdomBaga Chipz - Bagz to Riches - Swindon4 Sep · Oxfordshire, United KingdomC.S. Lewis & J.R.R. Tolkien Tour4 Sep at 15:002026 Crime Fiction Weekend4 Sep · Ashmolean Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2PH, United KingdomAshmolean NOW: Soma Surovi Jannat4 SepBach to Baby Family Concert in Oxford Summertown4 Sep · Old Swan & Minster Mill, Minster Mill,, Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire, OX29 0RN, United KingdomBand & Brew at The Old Swan4 Sep · Ashmolean Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2PH, United KingdomColonial Views of India: Photographs by Eugene Clutterbuck Impey4 Sep · The Slaughters Manor House, The Slaughters Manor House, Copsehill Road,, Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire, GL54 2HP, United KingdomEscape to the Manor for Afternoon Tea5 Sep at 10:00 · Oxford, Oxfordshire, United KingdomFamily Day at the Science Oxford Centre4 Sep · Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon,, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0JH, United KingdomFour Seasons at Waddesdon Manor4 Sep · Oxfordshire, United KingdomHarry Potter Highlights Walking Tour4 SepMurder Mystery Adventure4 SepOxford Ghost Tour4 Sep at 11:30 · Oxfordshire, United KingdomOxford On Screen Walking Tour4 Sep · Ashmolean Museum, Ashmolean Museum, Beaumont Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 2PH, United KingdomRoman Oxfordshire Coins Display4 Sep · Blenheim Palace, Blenheim Palace,, Woodstock, Oxfordshire, OX20 1UL, United KingdomSalon Privé 20264 SepSaturday Boat trips on the Banbury Canal4 Sep · Sheldonian Theatre, Sheldonian Theatre, Broad Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 3AZ, United KingdomSheldonian Guided Tour4 Sep · Sudbury House Hotel & Restaurant, 56 London Street,, Faringdon, Oxfordshire, SN7 7AA, United KingdomSummer at Sudbury House4 Sep · Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry Gardens, Waterperry,, Wheatley, Oxfordshire (for Satnav please use postcode OX33 1LA), OX33 1JZ, United KingdomSummer Orienteering Butterfly Trail4 Sep · Westgate Oxford, Westgate Oxford, Queen Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 1TR, United KingdomTake part in the FREE Hatter's Hunt at Westgate Oxford4 SepThe Big Dino Summer Hunt4 Sep · City Sightseeing Oxford Visitor Information Point, City Sightseeing Oxford Visitor Information Point, Queens Lane, 44 - 45 High Street,, Oxford, Oxfordshire, OX1 4AP, United KingdomThe Oxford Explorer's Passport Trail4 SepTimeless Tales4 Sep at 11:00White Cube at Claydon
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This Day in Oxfordshire History
On this day · Through the years
1705
Blenheim Palace was granted to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, after the Battle of Blenheim.
This day · Local fact
Did you know? · Oxfordshire
Christ Church still keeps 'Oxford time', five minutes behind GMT, so Great Tom's nightly 101 chimes ring out at 9:05pm to mark the old 9pm curfew.
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Until tomorrow morning Have a lovely day. 
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 No. 977 · 4 September 2026
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