The rolling programme of gas-pipe replacement has now reached Caldecott Road and St Helen’s Wharf. The road at St Helen Wharf has been closed and that could last up to 20th January.

At Caldecott Road, the pavement has been dug away right down to the services. Bright barriers come between pedestrians and the excavation, closing some footways. Nearby residents, at Cygnet Court, some of whom use wheelchairs or mobility scooters, have been warned that access will be difficult.

Beside St Helen’s Church the disruption is more dramatic. The road is completely blocked by barriers. There are warning cones, and Road Closed signs back to the Iron Bridge. Quite a few motorists miss the first Road Closed sign and then turn back.

As a result, West St Helen Street is much quieter this morning, after a night when digging could be heard until about 9 pm.

Some people have been puzzled by the traffic cones blocking off a stretch of Wilsham Road that’s usually used for free parking by people walking into town. One motorist asked me today what was happening, especially as the cones have been there for two or three weeks with no sign of work.

The answer is on the windscreens of a few cars that haven’t moved since the weekend. Notices say that essential gas works will take place from 1st to 14th December, and there will be no parking on Wilsham Road between Preston Road and Caldecott Road during that time.

These works are part of SGN’s ongoing programme to replace aging metal gas mains in Abingdon, something I first covered here in 2023. The old pipes are being replaced by plastic ones expected to last around 80 years. Presumably the new pipes will also allow the transition from natural gas to hydrogen, a project SGN are trying out in Fife, Scotland.

Traffic heading towards Lodge Hill through Bagley Woods on the A4183 (Oxford Road) should be aware that the junction layout has now changed. A new Give Way has been introduced at the south-facing slip road onto the A34, meaning vehicles travelling from Abingdon and joining the A34 now have priority. Drivers are given advance warning with Give Way signs at 200, 100, and 50 yards, as well as at the junction itself, along with two Changed Priorities Ahead signs.

Even so, it’s an unusual layout and has taken many people by surprise. Thanks to Nick for highlighting the change. It was mentioned on a local WhatsApp group yesterday by someone who was nearly caught out by it; signage appears to have improved since then.

Elsewhere on the A34 slip-road works, earthmoving continues and has expanded. From ground level, it’s still hard to get a sense of the final layout at this stage.

A public consultation on the proposed cycling improvements for East St Helen Street and the junction by the Abbey Gateway was held today in the former Magistrates’ Court. A second opportunity to meet the designers will take place on Tuesday in the Roysse Room from 4 pm to 7 pm.

A steady stream of visitors came to study the plans and speak with the project representatives. Among those most vocal were residents of East St Helen Street – where a new cycling contraflow is proposed, local conservationists, and cyclists keen to see better routes through the town.
The proposals, initiated by the cycling charity Sustrans and designed by Oxfordshire County Council, were generally welcomed by those supporting more active travel. However, they also prompted a range of concerns. Some East St Helen Street residents questioned the safety of the design for both cyclists and pedestrians, and how it might affect the character of this historic street. Conservation-minded visitors raised worries about changes to the junction’s appearance — including the addition of several new crossing points and belisha beacons — and how these might impact views towards the Abbey Gateway and St Nicolas Church. Others felt the plans did not help pedestrians, saying that many people cross High Street and Stert Street elsewhere and may not use the proposed new island. Drivers, too, voiced concerns about traffic flow.

Discussions were lively showing how challenging it will be to balance all the competing interests.

Details and the online consultation can be found at: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/eaststhelenstreet