A fire engine was on the Market Place today (Monday) responding to what appeared to be a fire alarm at the former Pablos building. There was no smell of smoke, but the crew carried out a check to be sure.
At the weekend a fire engine was on the Market Place in a very different role — supporting a six-hour treadmill relay by three members of the fire service.
The effort is part of Running for Heroes, a campaign led by firefighter Chris Dabell, who plans to run the 2026 London Marathon in full firefighting kit to raise money for the Firefire Fighters Charity. The charity supports colleagues who have been seriously injured and highlights the daily risks faced by firefighters. The challenge also honours the memory of Jennie and Martyn, lost in the Bicester tragedy.
More details: runningforheroes.dabell.co.uk
Sorry to hijack thread but Oxford mail is reporting consultation on redesigning road junction outside Fatface and St Nicholas church h to incorporate multiple pedestrian crossings to ease pedestrian and mobility scooter access.
While better is access is welcome this can only result in even more congestion in town centre
4 zebra crossings in that very small area seems excessive. Especially with the three pelican crossings nearby. I’m all up for better crossings I’m just not sure this is the best option
Walking around the town a lot I see nothing wrong with the present arrangement in and around the Market Place and as such if the proposed changes go ahead it’ll be £1.4M spent on something that isn’t needed. A complete and utter waste of money.
When the transformation of the Lodge Hill interchange is completed the balance of traffic along the two main arterial roads to and from the A34 will change and I’d prefer to see exactly what happens then before deciding how a such a large amount of money is spent. For example, it could well be that the one-way inner ring-road (Stratton Way, Stert Street, High Street)) could be re-introduced to the great advantage of traffic-flow.
In addition, should the illustrated scheme be introduced how’s traffic going to move around the East/West St Helens, HIgh Street, Iron Bridge area and into South Abingdon, etc. when the Fair’s in Town? Go down and go figure this weekend …
But, of course, the traffic planners. with their consultants flown in from faraway places like Henley, will have all bases covered …. just like the geniuses who told us that the Morland Gardens development wouldn’t increase the traffic along the Drayton Road during ‘rush hour’ …