Oxford has marked the first weeks of February with a series of positive developments spanning scientific research, community support, and infrastructure investment.
Quantum Internet Project Secures £10 Million UK-Japan Funding
The University of Oxford will co-lead a five-year project to build the foundations of a quantum internet, following an announcement during the Prime Minister’s visit to Japan. The initiative, ‘Distributed and secure quantum computation’, has secured approximately £10 million in combined funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
Professor David Lucas from Oxford’s Department of Physics will jointly lead the project with Professor Mio Murao of the University of Tokyo. The team will design and demonstrate an integrated blueprint for distributed quantum computation using ion trap nodes and photonic links, which use single particles of light to securely connect processors into a network. UK collaborators include the Universities of Edinburgh, Manchester, and Sussex. The project will run until December 2030.
Council Backs Homelessness Prevention with Additional Funding
Oxford City Council has approved over £200,000 in additional funding to support local organisations working to prevent rough sleeping and assist people experiencing homelessness across the city. The grants, announced in early February, will enable voluntary and community sector organisations to continue delivering services for Oxford residents facing housing insecurity.
The funding comes in response to growing pressures including the cost-of-living crisis, rising homelessness, and increasingly complex health and support needs. This allocation is separate from the council’s annual homelessness prevention grants budget, which stood at £1.75 million for 2025/26.
Oxpens River Bridge Construction to Begin This Spring
Jacksons Civil Engineering Group has been appointed to construct the long-planned Oxpens River Bridge, with work expected to start in spring 2026. The £14 million project will provide a traffic-free route for pedestrians and cyclists, linking west and south Oxford to the city centre via a bridge between Oxpens Meadow and Grandpont Nature Park.
The project was delayed following a judicial review, which was dismissed by the High Court in February 2025. Permission to build across the River Thames was granted by the Secretary of State for Transport in June 2025. The appointment of Jacksons Civil Engineering allows the long-awaited infrastructure improvement to move forward.
Oxford and Leiden Mark 80 Years of Friendship
The cities of Oxford and Leiden will celebrate 80 years of friendship with a gala concert at Oxford Town Hall on 21 February. The event marks eight decades of civic partnership between the two historic university cities.
Rose Hill Community Centre Reaches 10-Year Milestone
Rose Hill Community Centre celebrated a decade since opening on 30 January, having provided a home for community groups, events, and activities throughout the past ten years. The centre serves as a focal point for community life in the Rose Hill area of Oxford.
Living Wage Week Highlights Pay Standards
Oxford City Council marked Oxford Living Wage Week from 2 to 9 February, celebrating employers who pay the Oxford Living Wage, which will increase to £14.06 per hour from April 2026. Councillor Chewe Munkonge highlighted the importance of the initiative for ensuring fair pay across the city.