Category Archives: weather

Saturday Morning in Town – Slippery in Places

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Slippery in Places
This Saturday the walk by the Thames in Abingdon was slippery in places, but the air did not feel as cold as previous days.
Slippery in Places
People were running round Rye Farm Meadow, and at Abingdon Lock, but taking it more easily than usual – the weekly Parkrun time trail had been cancelled because of ice.
Slippery in Places
I gather the A34 northbound was closed at the Milton Interchange because of another accident involving a heavy good vehicle. Traffic was diverted through Steventon, Drayton and Abingdon, causing other routes to get slowed up.
Slippery in Places
There were lots of people at the coffee houses on what was a bright sunny day.

The town crier was out and about announcing the Local Excellence Market next Saturday (31st Jan 2015). The Abingdon Country Market (formerly known as WI Market) will be taking part. They have been excluded from the Farmers Market so this is an alternative outlet.

Saturday Morning Snow in Abingdon

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It was cold last night and there was a frost at first light.
Saturday Morning Snow
At about 8:15 snow began to fall. Five minutes later, there was a lot of snow falling on Abingdon town centre – as seen here in front of St Nics Church and the Guildhall.
Saturday Morning Snow
There were big flakes falling on the Market Place in front of County Hall.
Saturday Morning Snow
There were not many takers for the outside seats an Java & Co – often used by early morning sports enthusiasts.
Saturday Morning Snow
There was not enough to build snowmen, but I did see some children playing snowballs, and spotted these synchronized tyre tracks outside Masons.
Saturday Morning Snow
The view looking back to town from Wilsham Road was very pretty.

Wind blown bins, Recycled Christmas Trees, and Plaster Fall

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Wind blown bins
After this Saturday morning’s recycling collection, next week’s collection should be back to the normal Thursday or Friday schedule. A lot of the empty bins got blown over after a windy night, and quite a lot of rubbish before it was collected. Our green food bin disappeared completely – probably not down to the wind.
Recycling Christmas Trees
People had started leaving trees for recycling on the Market Place fairly early, and the barriers appeared to have been blown about overnight.
Plaster Fall
Andrew sent me a picture of some plaster that had fallen in the Strollin tunnel.
Recycling Christmas Trees
Soon after 9am the big tree was cut up, and its branches were recycled along with smaller trees – from the homes of Abingdon.
Plaster Fall
By 9am Police had cordoned off the Strollin Tunnel.

Jan 2015 Flood Fair report

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Flood Mitigation
A flood and bad weather fair was put on by the Town Council at both Long Furlong  and Preston Road Community Centre.
Flood Mitigation
There was an array of ingenious gadgets designed to protect homes and possessions from floods.

There was the chance to pick up leaflets about what to do in the event of a flood, or other types of bad weather.
Flood Mitigation
The Environment Agency were also there to explain more about the three flood mitigation schemes being looked at for Abingdon.

Central government is now putting more money in to flood prevention, but expects more money from local partners in return.

Feasibility studies have already been done on the two simpler Abingdon schemes: to reduce flooding from the River Stert, and the River Ock at St Helens Mill. They could get the go ahead for design in Spring 2015.

During 2015 data would also be gathered to model the River Thames (Sandford to south of Mapledurham) and the River Ock Storage Area.

A River Ock flood storage area is the long term flood prevention proposed for Abingdon. It would hold back water outside Abingdon and release it more slowly.

Modelling would first show whether a flood storage area on the River Ock is viable. If viable then a feasibility study could begin in 2016.

The River Ock scheme will be looked at separately from the Oxford scheme, and for either scheme to go ahead they must demonstrate they will not make flooding worse downstream.