The Vale and County Councils plan to replace the old wooden bridge between Abbey Meadows and Barton Fields. The new bridge will be less steep to make it easier for everyone to use. The design will also need to protect mature trees, wildlife, and the stream below. Developer money (Community Infrastructure Levy) will help pay for it.
The bridge is used by National Cycle Route 5, the Thames Path, and is a link to Radley Lakes.
(See Vale News Item for more information.)
It’s been six months since the pavement near the top of West St Helen Street was first blocked off (see blog on 9th October 2024), due to an unsafe building. People using wheelchairs and mobility scooters still have to make detours to get around it, or go in the road.
The Co-op was the first to put an advert on the fencing around the area. I would guess their business is impacted. Now there’s also one from a Jamaican café. The Jamaican café used to be in the building that became unsafe, and had to close because of it. I think it’s probably the same people.
It looks like repairs will be costly, and whoever is responsible may still be sorting things out — possibly with insurance. But there haven’t been any clear updates, and nothing has been put in place to help pedestrians and wheelchairs.
The museum lift has been out of order for a couple of weeks now.
Jeff Samways, MS sufferer, and Tracey would have liked to go UP in the lift, but as English Heritage did not allow that particular lift to be built, it would have been nice to go down and see the pump and Basement Buns. Even that is not possible until the lift is fixed.
They did ask me to mention a new group called The Vine – which is why they are holding a leaflet. The group, sponsored by Abingdon Vineyard Church, is at Preston Road Community Centre and I think it is to help disabled people meet others for tea and coffee and friendship, and learn new skills. Next one is 20th Sept (3rd Thursday of Month) from 10:30am – 12:30am.