Councillor Neil Fawcett tweeted today
“Sadly the County Council Cabinet voted unanimously to allow the moving of the Marcham Road crossing #Abingdon”

Initially Oxfordshire County Council rejected the crossings, then at a second hearing reversed that decision and allowed the moving of the crossings. That decision was  referred back to the Cabinet for this final decision.

The lights will consequently move  from where they can be seen currently to where the nearest car is speeding.

Moving the pedestrian lights was proposed by the developers as a traffic mitigation measure so that traffic congestion after the development of 159 dwellings on Drayton Road is no worse than before. The area already suffers traffic congestion, and has done for decades, and local people want real road improvements before any further development.

The Leader of The Vale of White Horse District Council is still looking to get legal advice about whether any further avenues are still open to oppose the crossings,

Looking across the River Thames towards Wilsham Road, there are plans to make the buildings taller.

1. A bungalow got demolished back in the spring and is now being redeveloped as a 4 bedroom house.

The smaller bungalow in the  middle is staying but will soon have two-storey neighbours either sides.

2&3. There is planning permission to redevelop the bungalow, with the grounds, into two two-storey houses.

4. Red Line Outboard Services, at Ferry Boat House, were moving out last Friday, and so that looks likely to be next building to grow an extra storey.

This Abingdon Church Hall was featured in the 1927 Hooke’s Abingdon Almanack and Directory – to show the workmanship of P.A and G Randall, Builders and Contractors of Swinburne Road. It was built in 1926 – funded by public subscription.

The Church Hall would have been situated about where the road runs in front of Abbey House, and was demolished in 1988 when the Abbey House Council Offices were built. Demolition allowed access to Abbey Close avoiding the Abbey Gateway – which in our times need protection from passing traffic.

The church hall was used for the WI Market, church youth clubs, blood donor clinics, church socials, jumble sales, dances, and performances on a small stage.