Oxford City Council has confirmed remediation works are to be carried out in South Park to repair extensive surface damage.

This follows damage caused by heavy machinery moving over saturated ground following the annual fireworks event on 4 November last year.

Inspection of the site by specialists has confirmed there has been no long term damage sustained to the ridge and furrow archaeological features. Nevertheless, restoration will involve some ground levelling and reseeding areas of the park.


In a statement the Council said: "This needs to take place when the conditions allow for the work to be undertaken without further damage and the new seed to take which is likely to be in the early spring. These areas may need to be cordoned off for a period to enable the grass to germinate.

"In the meantime signage will encourage users to take different paths through the park to avoid the muddy uneven areas and prevent further churning up of the ground."

The Council is engaging with local stakeholders including Friends of South Park and Oxford Preservation Trust, to keep them informed about the restoration works. The Council is also holding discussions with these groups and Oxford Round Table which hosts the annual Charity Fireworks Display, over lessons that can be learned from what happened, and how such damage to the park can be avoided in future. All options will be considered and the Council will ensure its engagement also involves other community groups and residents.