A couple of years ago when the new pavements were first laid a utility contractor came and did some work. They then covered up the hole with tarmac, and left it like that to this day.

Because it happened once I half expect it to happen again.

Last weekend their was a leak near the Market Place. It had been there for maybe three weeks.

On Monday some contractors fixed the leak but left a lump of tarmac where there had been cobbles.

A second gang came today to complete the job.

Most jobs do get completed well and properly and don’t need chasing.

Moral of the Story : Good work goes largely unnoticed.

I was told that a vehicle was set alight on this footbridge, in Southern Town Park, back in January 2012. The bridge is on the route to the Drayton Road Allotments and used by people getting to the allotments or out on walks.

The tape and bollards, put up at the footbridge after the incident, are gone. People have found other ways round for the moment. I can see a track has been trod across sports fields which used to be fenced off and free from dogs. I hear the Vale of White Horse District Council have it scheduled to repair in April 2012. The sports club and people going that way will be very glad when the footbridge finally gets mended, so the sooner the better.

The footpath is closed between Throwing Buns and the Punchbowl as underground work continues near the new lift shaft. Business goes on as usual at both.

‘Footpath Closed’ and ‘Cyclist Dismount in Car Park’ signs have been added in West St Helen Street Carpark. The cycle route near the Car Park is being used as the work depot while pavement work continues on East and West St Helen Street.