Diana spotted these pebbles in St John’s Road on a walk this week.
Clare sent me an email to say the Quilters of Abingdon (Abbey Quilters, Fitzharrys Quilters and I’m sure some of their friends) have been making bags so that the midwives at the JR can, when they finish a shift, change, put their uniforms in these bags and put them straight in the washing machine when they get home without spreading germs. The member of Abbey Quilters who is organising this says that nearly 90 bags have been delivered so far and she has another 50 to be taken up this weekend.
The bags are about the size of a pillowcase, with a drawstring at the top and must be washable at 60 degrees. They must be washed, pressed and delivered in twos in a ziplock plastic bag.
I took this picture of the work on the cycleway between Abingdon and Milton Park and Didcot that is being upgraded. They have been making good progress in the last week or so. It is not open yet but nevertheless we were allowed to pass thanks to the workmen.
I recorded a video of the same view of Abingdon on 15th April when it was sunny and then 17th April when the rain set it. We have had a lot of sunshine. The last two days have been overcast and with rain. The video shows the contrast.
The cycle path looks fantastic, but it would be good to see the Hanson Way given the same treatment going the other way out of Abingdon. That part from The Abbey Meadow, alongside Barton Fields and the old railway line onwards to Radley Lakes is pretty rough (far worse than the section illustrated above was before improvement). It deteriorate badly after the floods of 2007 caused significant erosion.
The Hanson Way is a great altermative for commuting into Oxford, minimising the amount of time bikes have to share space with cars, etc. Fixing this and similar projects around the country would spread infrastructure improvement and employment around the country to general benefit. Once the current plague is past and it’s realised that Boris’s Train Set is an indulgence then this, and similar, could be seen as a far more poplular option.
Do you really think there’s going to be any money lift for projects such as cycle routes after the pandemic?. Very tough times ahead in the coming years after the economy has stalled.
The cycle route really needs to be extended to Milton Park. Currently only the bold and the brave are able to commute there from Abingdon.
There are massive car investments in the pipeline, such as the proposed Culham Thames bridge, that look set to make this journey even busier and hostile for cycle traffic.
In the light of our climate emergency, and new financial realities due to Covid19 is time to reconsider road building projects.
Chris, I’m sure Boris will find the money for his pet project, in fact, he may move the Southern Terminus to Victoria so he can build a Garden Rail Bridge over the Thames to facilitate such a change. Boris’s Buddies Bonuses demand massive unmanageable budgets.
I think Phil is on the right track when he mentions cllimate change and health., Cylcling brings benefits to both of these. In additon to commuter-friendly bike-only routes there’s also a need for secure parking/storage for bikes at commuter hubs.
Cyclist definitely need some support. Most cycle lanes are in an appalling state of disrepair. And if they take to the main carriageway, the verges are lethal.
I write as an unreconstructed motorist 😉 My grin may be rueful, but the first paragraph remains.
Perhaps now is the time to knock HS2 on the head. After Covid-19 there will be other more important needs for government finances.