Alison Hill
@dralisonhill.bsky.social
Retired cycling public health doctor living in #Oxford. MBE for services to cycling. Posts on #cycling #activetravel #climatecrisis #publichealth #gardening
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Alison Hill
@dralisonhill.bsky.social
· Nov 27
The blancmange! I was hoping that 4 years into the latest #OxfordshireCountyCouncil administration we would no longer be seeing active travel schemes turning into a sticky puddle. But there are still too many poor bits of cycling infrastructure being implemented 😰
Reposted by Alison Hill
We often forget how far we have come: Today almost 3/4 of EU electricity generation is from non-fossil energy sources.
It is not long ago that fossil fuels dominated the EU's electricity mix.
This year their share is approaching 1/4 of EU electricity generation.
Source is @ember-energy.org
It is not long ago that fossil fuels dominated the EU's electricity mix.
This year their share is approaching 1/4 of EU electricity generation.
Source is @ember-energy.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:19 PM
We often forget how far we have come: Today almost 3/4 of EU electricity generation is from non-fossil energy sources.
It is not long ago that fossil fuels dominated the EU's electricity mix.
This year their share is approaching 1/4 of EU electricity generation.
Source is @ember-energy.org
It is not long ago that fossil fuels dominated the EU's electricity mix.
This year their share is approaching 1/4 of EU electricity generation.
Source is @ember-energy.org
Reposted by Alison Hill
It's amazing how much of a difference the congestion charge in Oxford has made. The roads are much quieter, it's so easy driving around the city centre now and being able to keep to time. My job has become less stressful.
November 5, 2025 at 12:57 PM
It's amazing how much of a difference the congestion charge in Oxford has made. The roads are much quieter, it's so easy driving around the city centre now and being able to keep to time. My job has become less stressful.
Reposted by Alison Hill
A Conservative motion to cancel Oxford’s new Congestion Charge has been rejected by a meeting of Oxfordshire County Council. The Conservative and Labour groups voted to withdraw the charge but were outvoted by the LibDem administration and the Greens. (Our live posts are in the thread below!)
The vote on Oxford’s Congestion Charge is taken and goes broadly along party lines.
For removing the charge: 22 (Con, Lab, Ind)
Against removing the charge: 36 (LibDem, Green, Henley)
Abstain: 2 (Will Boucher-Giles, LibDem for Chesterton; Emma Markham, Green for Shrivenham)
For removing the charge: 22 (Con, Lab, Ind)
Against removing the charge: 36 (LibDem, Green, Henley)
Abstain: 2 (Will Boucher-Giles, LibDem for Chesterton; Emma Markham, Green for Shrivenham)
November 4, 2025 at 4:14 PM
A Conservative motion to cancel Oxford’s new Congestion Charge has been rejected by a meeting of Oxfordshire County Council. The Conservative and Labour groups voted to withdraw the charge but were outvoted by the LibDem administration and the Greens. (Our live posts are in the thread below!)
The temporary congestion charge seems to be working!
We have now joined a small elite global group of cities with congestion charges - London, Durham, Stockholm, Milan, Gothenburg, and New York City🤩
We have now joined a small elite global group of cities with congestion charges - London, Durham, Stockholm, Milan, Gothenburg, and New York City🤩
Days 1 and 2 of the Oxford Congestion Charge (30/10) and car traffic is down by *one third* on St Clement's (1 of the 6 camers points).
This is extraordinary. I'm really interested to see what happens next week when half term is over & how the next few months pan out.
telraam.net/en/location/...
This is extraordinary. I'm really interested to see what happens next week when half term is over & how the next few months pan out.
telraam.net/en/location/...
October 31, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The temporary congestion charge seems to be working!
We have now joined a small elite global group of cities with congestion charges - London, Durham, Stockholm, Milan, Gothenburg, and New York City🤩
We have now joined a small elite global group of cities with congestion charges - London, Durham, Stockholm, Milan, Gothenburg, and New York City🤩
Reposted by Alison Hill
The Congestion Charge went live today - so it's a great time to talk about a book (published this year) I recently finished reading.
Did you know JRR Tolkien wrote a short satirical fantasy about how cars and congestion were ruining Oxford in the 1960s?
Congestion has plagued Oxford for decades.
🧵
Did you know JRR Tolkien wrote a short satirical fantasy about how cars and congestion were ruining Oxford in the 1960s?
Congestion has plagued Oxford for decades.
🧵
October 29, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The Congestion Charge went live today - so it's a great time to talk about a book (published this year) I recently finished reading.
Did you know JRR Tolkien wrote a short satirical fantasy about how cars and congestion were ruining Oxford in the 1960s?
Congestion has plagued Oxford for decades.
🧵
Did you know JRR Tolkien wrote a short satirical fantasy about how cars and congestion were ruining Oxford in the 1960s?
Congestion has plagued Oxford for decades.
🧵
Reposted by Alison Hill
Fun at the Glow Ride in Oxford tonight. Great turn out from Cyclox. Thank you for organising Cowley Road Condors!
October 22, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Fun at the Glow Ride in Oxford tonight. Great turn out from Cyclox. Thank you for organising Cowley Road Condors!
Reposted by Alison Hill
The redesign tender, which we reported in September, is to be awarded in a week’s time. Brenda Boardman from Oxon4Buses said “This bus hub is 'owed' to us by Network Rail in return for all the ongoing disruption over the Botley Road bridge - they have more than one bridge to repair!”
October 22, 2025 at 8:19 AM
The redesign tender, which we reported in September, is to be awarded in a week’s time. Brenda Boardman from Oxon4Buses said “This bus hub is 'owed' to us by Network Rail in return for all the ongoing disruption over the Botley Road bridge - they have more than one bridge to repair!”
#Oxon4Buses is calling for Network Rail to create a transport hub at the new station rather than a multi-story car park. This opportunity for an integrated network could be lost forever. Please sign ✍️
c.org/DX66nvC5qn
c.org/DX66nvC5qn
Sign the Petition
Sign for a bus hub in Oxford
c.org
October 19, 2025 at 6:49 AM
#Oxon4Buses is calling for Network Rail to create a transport hub at the new station rather than a multi-story car park. This opportunity for an integrated network could be lost forever. Please sign ✍️
c.org/DX66nvC5qn
c.org/DX66nvC5qn
Reposted by Alison Hill
For as we all know, crimes committed in cars aren't real crimes
'Yes, I broke the speed limit but, given that I sit in the House of Lords, surely the law doesn't apply to me?'
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home...
D’Souza faces ban after raising 20mph speeding tickets with Met commissioner
Lady D’Souza used House of Lords headed paper to query her offences with the Metropolitan Police chief.
www.independent.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 6:15 PM
For as we all know, crimes committed in cars aren't real crimes
A small but significant achievement for those of us campaigning to improve cycle safety 🚲
Plans for crossings at Rose Hill service road entries abandoned as not addressing the fundamental problem of rat running.
Officers asked to find an alternative solution.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2553901...
Plans for crossings at Rose Hill service road entries abandoned as not addressing the fundamental problem of rat running.
Officers asked to find an alternative solution.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2553901...
Oxford: Crossing plans won't solve rat running problem at busy junction
New raised crossings at the service road at the junction between Rose Hill and Church Cowley Road in Oxford have been rejected.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk
October 14, 2025 at 1:08 PM
A small but significant achievement for those of us campaigning to improve cycle safety 🚲
Plans for crossings at Rose Hill service road entries abandoned as not addressing the fundamental problem of rat running.
Officers asked to find an alternative solution.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2553901...
Plans for crossings at Rose Hill service road entries abandoned as not addressing the fundamental problem of rat running.
Officers asked to find an alternative solution.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/2553901...
Wonderful! Another little step towards reducing motor traffic in Oxford.
A freight interchange between delivery trucks and cargo bikes is planned for Oxford Parkway car park. Shipments will be delivered to the “micro consolidation hub” every morning, then taken into Oxford and Kidlington by electric cargo bike.
October 11, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Wonderful! Another little step towards reducing motor traffic in Oxford.
Reposted by Alison Hill
Bit niche I think, but apparently this parking spot is reserved for female rock climbers.
October 8, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Bit niche I think, but apparently this parking spot is reserved for female rock climbers.
Just what the congestion charge and traffic filters are meant to achieve hurray👏
Oxford Bus Co has announced more frequent bus services from November to coincide with the congestion charge coming into effect. The improvements mean Blackbird Leys and Cowley will have services to the city centre every 10 minutes, while Iffley Road gets a new night bus.
October 8, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Just what the congestion charge and traffic filters are meant to achieve hurray👏
A great use of the funds raised through the congestion charge 👏 www.oxfordbus.co.uk/free-bus-tra...
Free bus travel via Park & Ride network among raft of major improvements
Bus travel via the Park & Ride network has been made free among a raft of major improvements
www.oxfordbus.co.uk
October 7, 2025 at 4:53 PM
A great use of the funds raised through the congestion charge 👏 www.oxfordbus.co.uk/free-bus-tra...
Reposted by Alison Hill
I mean, come on! Why are we accepting this as ok??!
(pic from @urbancyclinginstitute.org )
(pic from @urbancyclinginstitute.org )
August 25, 2025 at 6:20 AM
I mean, come on! Why are we accepting this as ok??!
(pic from @urbancyclinginstitute.org )
(pic from @urbancyclinginstitute.org )
Reposted by Alison Hill
Yup. It's been a long slog, though - as with all new therapies. I worked in a gene therapy lab back in 1997-8. The kinds of viral gene delivery systems the Huntington's work used were in development back then. So this stuff has been decades (of basic research - hence why you need it!) in the making.
Wow, treating Huntington’s now, slowing it by 75% using gene therapy.
It feels like every month there is something new and amazing coming out of gene therapy.
Nice article in the BBC –
www.bbc.com/news/article...
It feels like every month there is something new and amazing coming out of gene therapy.
Nice article in the BBC –
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Huntington's disease successfully treated for first time
One of the most devastating diseases finally has a treatment that can slow its progression and transform lives, tearful doctors tell BBC.
www.bbc.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Yup. It's been a long slog, though - as with all new therapies. I worked in a gene therapy lab back in 1997-8. The kinds of viral gene delivery systems the Huntington's work used were in development back then. So this stuff has been decades (of basic research - hence why you need it!) in the making.
What a way to celebrate #WorldCarFreeDay! Well done all who participated in the biggest ever #KidicalMassOxford and @cycloxoxford.bsky.social for organising it 👏🚲👏🚲
Kids reclaimed the streets of Oxford in Kidical Mass, a family bike ride, around the city centre earlier today. Our special report and photo gallery 👇
oxfordclarion.uk/kids-claim-t...
oxfordclarion.uk/kids-claim-t...
Kids claim the streets of Oxford
The latest Kidical Mass family bike ride attracted a record turnout, according to organisers Cyclox. More than 200 cyclists of all ages converged in Oxford ringing bells as they circled the city centr...
oxfordclarion.uk
September 22, 2025 at 1:24 PM
What a way to celebrate #WorldCarFreeDay! Well done all who participated in the biggest ever #KidicalMassOxford and @cycloxoxford.bsky.social for organising it 👏🚲👏🚲
Reposted by Alison Hill
Oxford congestion charge, clean air, less noise, faster bus journeys...what's not to like? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Oxford congestion charge 'insulting', say critics
Oxfordshire County Council voted on Wednesday to introduce the temporary £5 charge by 10 November.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 11, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Oxford congestion charge, clean air, less noise, faster bus journeys...what's not to like? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Alison Hill
Oxford's Congestion Charge approved at Cabinet today!
I think this is the first UK one for 20 years - London and Durham being the other two cities with them. Looking forward to faster buses and more bus routes, fewer private cars and therefore being able to re-do crossings to favour pedestrians!
I think this is the first UK one for 20 years - London and Durham being the other two cities with them. Looking forward to faster buses and more bus routes, fewer private cars and therefore being able to re-do crossings to favour pedestrians!
Oxford is to get a congestion charge of £5 per car per day, starting this autumn. Charges will be levied for driving past one of six camera sites. The decision, intended to accelerate bus services and encourage cycling/walking, was taken at an Oxfordshire County Council cabinet meeting this morning.
September 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Oxford's Congestion Charge approved at Cabinet today!
I think this is the first UK one for 20 years - London and Durham being the other two cities with them. Looking forward to faster buses and more bus routes, fewer private cars and therefore being able to re-do crossings to favour pedestrians!
I think this is the first UK one for 20 years - London and Durham being the other two cities with them. Looking forward to faster buses and more bus routes, fewer private cars and therefore being able to re-do crossings to favour pedestrians!
Congestion charge approved by Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet today 🙌
Hoping queues like this one on the Marston Ferry Road at evening rush hour will be a thing of the past 🚘❌
Congratulations to all who worked so tirelessly to get this approved 👏 news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxford-tempo...
Hoping queues like this one on the Marston Ferry Road at evening rush hour will be a thing of the past 🚘❌
Congratulations to all who worked so tirelessly to get this approved 👏 news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxford-tempo...
September 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Congestion charge approved by Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet today 🙌
Hoping queues like this one on the Marston Ferry Road at evening rush hour will be a thing of the past 🚘❌
Congratulations to all who worked so tirelessly to get this approved 👏 news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxford-tempo...
Hoping queues like this one on the Marston Ferry Road at evening rush hour will be a thing of the past 🚘❌
Congratulations to all who worked so tirelessly to get this approved 👏 news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxford-tempo...
Reposted by Alison Hill
We're recruiting for an Operations and Infrastructure lead.
This could be you if you're the kind of person who cares about sustainable travel (and particularly cycling) in Oxford and is keen to support the running of Cyclox so we can be even more effective.
www.cyclox.org/index.php/wo...
This could be you if you're the kind of person who cares about sustainable travel (and particularly cycling) in Oxford and is keen to support the running of Cyclox so we can be even more effective.
www.cyclox.org/index.php/wo...
September 2, 2025 at 10:36 AM
We're recruiting for an Operations and Infrastructure lead.
This could be you if you're the kind of person who cares about sustainable travel (and particularly cycling) in Oxford and is keen to support the running of Cyclox so we can be even more effective.
www.cyclox.org/index.php/wo...
This could be you if you're the kind of person who cares about sustainable travel (and particularly cycling) in Oxford and is keen to support the running of Cyclox so we can be even more effective.
www.cyclox.org/index.php/wo...
Reposted by Alison Hill
There’s a persistent myth that new solar farms don’t really help tackle climate change because panels are “made with coal” and “never pay back” their carbon debt.
This is simply false.
- UN: solar ~8x cleaner than gas, ~19x than coal per kWh
- panels repay CO2 in 4 months; save 57x over life
This is simply false.
- UN: solar ~8x cleaner than gas, ~19x than coal per kWh
- panels repay CO2 in 4 months; save 57x over life
August 30, 2025 at 8:46 AM
There’s a persistent myth that new solar farms don’t really help tackle climate change because panels are “made with coal” and “never pay back” their carbon debt.
This is simply false.
- UN: solar ~8x cleaner than gas, ~19x than coal per kWh
- panels repay CO2 in 4 months; save 57x over life
This is simply false.
- UN: solar ~8x cleaner than gas, ~19x than coal per kWh
- panels repay CO2 in 4 months; save 57x over life
Intriguing. ‘The Path’ in Toronto - a 30 kilometer network of pedestrian tunnels www.worksinprogress.news/p/torontos-u...
Toronto's underground labyrinth
How Canada's largest city developed a 30 kilometer network of pedestrian tunnels
www.worksinprogress.news
August 31, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Intriguing. ‘The Path’ in Toronto - a 30 kilometer network of pedestrian tunnels www.worksinprogress.news/p/torontos-u...
Who’s given it a go? So much better than the narrow tunnel even if you do have to push your bike for now.
The new railway bridge walkway on the north side of Botley Road has opened, just hitting the “end of August” deadline. The route will eventually be a 4m-wide path with space for pedestrians and cyclists, but for now cyclists are still being asked to dismount.
August 31, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Who’s given it a go? So much better than the narrow tunnel even if you do have to push your bike for now.