Reconnecting Oxford
@reconnectingoxford.bsky.social
We want a better future for Oxford - for residents, visitors, and businesses. We support proposals that are rooted in evidence and backed by communities.
LOL. With a formal legal challenge official kicked off, Bearder really is the gift that keeps on giving.
Cllr Bearder: “Bus operators have invested £42m into new buses. They’ve done their bit. We made a contractual commitment to deliver 10% faster journey times by December 2025. If we fail to uphold our side of the bargain, we run the risk of potential litigation.”
September 10, 2025 at 11:01 AM
LOL. With a formal legal challenge official kicked off, Bearder really is the gift that keeps on giving.
Former Oxfordshire County Council active travel lead Patrick Lingwood....
Patrick Lingwood, Oxford Pedestrians’ Association: “80% of Oxford residents walk at least weekly, often on narrow footways along traffic jams. We wholeheartedly support the introduction of the charge. But your plans to only subsidise Park & Ride do nothing for pedestrians.”
September 10, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Former Oxfordshire County Council active travel lead Patrick Lingwood....
So @nathanley.com wants a congestion charge for Oxford.
Would he like a congestion charge in Abingdon, seeing as several major roads around his home patch carry almost exactly same number of cars per day as the planned congestion charge sites in Oxford.
cllrdrnathanley.substack.com/p/from-city-...
Would he like a congestion charge in Abingdon, seeing as several major roads around his home patch carry almost exactly same number of cars per day as the planned congestion charge sites in Oxford.
cllrdrnathanley.substack.com/p/from-city-...
July 13, 2025 at 6:03 PM
So @nathanley.com wants a congestion charge for Oxford.
Would he like a congestion charge in Abingdon, seeing as several major roads around his home patch carry almost exactly same number of cars per day as the planned congestion charge sites in Oxford.
cllrdrnathanley.substack.com/p/from-city-...
Would he like a congestion charge in Abingdon, seeing as several major roads around his home patch carry almost exactly same number of cars per day as the planned congestion charge sites in Oxford.
cllrdrnathanley.substack.com/p/from-city-...
Oxford City Council (2021). "We need this specific policy (the ZEZ) to help us meet this specific pollution reduction target."
IOA (2025). "Let's just check those numbers to verify that the assumptions, and policies they inform, are still valid."
Oxford City Council: "Shut up, shut up, shut up..."
IOA (2025). "Let's just check those numbers to verify that the assumptions, and policies they inform, are still valid."
Oxford City Council: "Shut up, shut up, shut up..."
January 27, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Oxford City Council (2021). "We need this specific policy (the ZEZ) to help us meet this specific pollution reduction target."
IOA (2025). "Let's just check those numbers to verify that the assumptions, and policies they inform, are still valid."
Oxford City Council: "Shut up, shut up, shut up..."
IOA (2025). "Let's just check those numbers to verify that the assumptions, and policies they inform, are still valid."
Oxford City Council: "Shut up, shut up, shut up..."
Yep, Oxford City Council really did vote against ZEZ data transparency. Apparently, it's to hard to publish this data.
Except when they already do publish this type of data.
But obviously not when the insights generated aren't what they want to share with the public.
So that's all clear them....
Except when they already do publish this type of data.
But obviously not when the insights generated aren't what they want to share with the public.
So that's all clear them....
January 27, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Yep, Oxford City Council really did vote against ZEZ data transparency. Apparently, it's to hard to publish this data.
Except when they already do publish this type of data.
But obviously not when the insights generated aren't what they want to share with the public.
So that's all clear them....
Except when they already do publish this type of data.
But obviously not when the insights generated aren't what they want to share with the public.
So that's all clear them....
For the benefit of the BlueSky crew...
Remarkabley, we're now anticipating a council vote against being transparent about pollution levels in the zero emmision zone expansion area.
Imagine a council voting against data transparency regarding this policy....
mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/ieIssueDetai...
Remarkabley, we're now anticipating a council vote against being transparent about pollution levels in the zero emmision zone expansion area.
Imagine a council voting against data transparency regarding this policy....
mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/ieIssueDetai...
January 27, 2025 at 6:14 PM
For the benefit of the BlueSky crew...
Remarkabley, we're now anticipating a council vote against being transparent about pollution levels in the zero emmision zone expansion area.
Imagine a council voting against data transparency regarding this policy....
mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/ieIssueDetai...
Remarkabley, we're now anticipating a council vote against being transparent about pollution levels in the zero emmision zone expansion area.
Imagine a council voting against data transparency regarding this policy....
mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/ieIssueDetai...
Is Gant's power to do what he likes in relation to new traffic measures, in direct defiance of what residents want, now melting away?
Also: read the room, council officers who advocate such schemes.
Also: read the room, council officers who advocate such schemes.
January 23, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Is Gant's power to do what he likes in relation to new traffic measures, in direct defiance of what residents want, now melting away?
Also: read the room, council officers who advocate such schemes.
Also: read the room, council officers who advocate such schemes.
Reposted by Reconnecting Oxford
A controlled parking zone (CPZ) for Lower Wolvercote has been deferred for further study pending effects of the Oxford North development and charges at Godstow car park, after a dozen people spoke against the scheme.
January 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
A controlled parking zone (CPZ) for Lower Wolvercote has been deferred for further study pending effects of the Oxford North development and charges at Godstow car park, after a dozen people spoke against the scheme.
A challenge to Oxfordshire Labour:
Bring forward proposals to February's county council meeting to scrap the traffic filters.
There's now a majority of councillors against the scheme, and you can over-rule the current council leadership.
Feel free to use this suggested wording (minus the typo!)
Bring forward proposals to February's county council meeting to scrap the traffic filters.
There's now a majority of councillors against the scheme, and you can over-rule the current council leadership.
Feel free to use this suggested wording (minus the typo!)
January 23, 2025 at 12:17 PM
A challenge to Oxfordshire Labour:
Bring forward proposals to February's county council meeting to scrap the traffic filters.
There's now a majority of councillors against the scheme, and you can over-rule the current council leadership.
Feel free to use this suggested wording (minus the typo!)
Bring forward proposals to February's county council meeting to scrap the traffic filters.
There's now a majority of councillors against the scheme, and you can over-rule the current council leadership.
Feel free to use this suggested wording (minus the typo!)
This will make pro LTN advocate splutter over their soya lattes...the Observer publishes an anti-LTN article, which accurately exposes the misleading language used to describe such schemes.
January 19, 2025 at 11:34 AM
This will make pro LTN advocate splutter over their soya lattes...the Observer publishes an anti-LTN article, which accurately exposes the misleading language used to describe such schemes.
The extraordinary tale of organisation incompetence and disinterest regarding the never-end Botley Road closure.
A resident-led (as is often the case these days) report into the heartache and stress the scheme is causing residents and businesses.
networkhell.co.uk
A resident-led (as is often the case these days) report into the heartache and stress the scheme is causing residents and businesses.
networkhell.co.uk
January 6, 2025 at 7:01 PM
The extraordinary tale of organisation incompetence and disinterest regarding the never-end Botley Road closure.
A resident-led (as is often the case these days) report into the heartache and stress the scheme is causing residents and businesses.
networkhell.co.uk
A resident-led (as is often the case these days) report into the heartache and stress the scheme is causing residents and businesses.
networkhell.co.uk
Oxfordshire County County recently put forward proposals to switch off most streetlights between 11pm and 6:30am - claiming the plan would have no adverse impacts on anyone with legally-protected characteristics.
The council cannot now find the evidence to support its "no impact" equalities claim.
The council cannot now find the evidence to support its "no impact" equalities claim.
January 5, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Oxfordshire County County recently put forward proposals to switch off most streetlights between 11pm and 6:30am - claiming the plan would have no adverse impacts on anyone with legally-protected characteristics.
The council cannot now find the evidence to support its "no impact" equalities claim.
The council cannot now find the evidence to support its "no impact" equalities claim.
Today's traffic debate at council saw:
out-of-favour cheerleaders (Constance / Haywood) sidelined; and
massive (apparent) about faces (Hicks / Enright); and
decision-makers outvoted (Gant / Bearder); and
Tories actually acting like Tories, not Extinction Rebellion spokespersons (Reeves).
out-of-favour cheerleaders (Constance / Haywood) sidelined; and
massive (apparent) about faces (Hicks / Enright); and
decision-makers outvoted (Gant / Bearder); and
Tories actually acting like Tories, not Extinction Rebellion spokespersons (Reeves).
December 10, 2024 at 5:58 PM
Today's traffic debate at council saw:
out-of-favour cheerleaders (Constance / Haywood) sidelined; and
massive (apparent) about faces (Hicks / Enright); and
decision-makers outvoted (Gant / Bearder); and
Tories actually acting like Tories, not Extinction Rebellion spokespersons (Reeves).
out-of-favour cheerleaders (Constance / Haywood) sidelined; and
massive (apparent) about faces (Hicks / Enright); and
decision-makers outvoted (Gant / Bearder); and
Tories actually acting like Tories, not Extinction Rebellion spokespersons (Reeves).
Having keenly backed numerous (unwanted) traffic restrictions around Cowley during his single term in county office, it appears @charliehicks.bsky.social is on the move.
Does anyone know which unfortunate ward will be lumbered with him as their candidate next May - assuming he's standing again?
Does anyone know which unfortunate ward will be lumbered with him as their candidate next May - assuming he's standing again?
December 9, 2024 at 5:05 PM
Having keenly backed numerous (unwanted) traffic restrictions around Cowley during his single term in county office, it appears @charliehicks.bsky.social is on the move.
Does anyone know which unfortunate ward will be lumbered with him as their candidate next May - assuming he's standing again?
Does anyone know which unfortunate ward will be lumbered with him as their candidate next May - assuming he's standing again?
Public service announcement: Headington Hill is still closed due to the tree fall on Saturday night.
December 9, 2024 at 8:00 AM
Public service announcement: Headington Hill is still closed due to the tree fall on Saturday night.
Good luck getting wish list two past the Competition And Markets Authority.
1) the taxis involved are fitted with black boxes to report speeds and allow compliance with speed limits to be enforced.
2) cycle training to Bikeability 2 level is made a condition of licensing as a taxi driver
2) cycle training to Bikeability 2 level is made a condition of licensing as a taxi driver
December 5, 2024 at 10:29 PM
Good luck getting wish list two past the Competition And Markets Authority.
"It would be impossible to permit cycling though university and college parklands because it would cause too much disruption".
University Parks, 8am this morning, on an off-road University Parks path that directly links the Marston Cycle Path to a bike store.
It's heaving with pedestrians. 🤣
University Parks, 8am this morning, on an off-road University Parks path that directly links the Marston Cycle Path to a bike store.
It's heaving with pedestrians. 🤣
December 4, 2024 at 2:55 PM
"It would be impossible to permit cycling though university and college parklands because it would cause too much disruption".
University Parks, 8am this morning, on an off-road University Parks path that directly links the Marston Cycle Path to a bike store.
It's heaving with pedestrians. 🤣
University Parks, 8am this morning, on an off-road University Parks path that directly links the Marston Cycle Path to a bike store.
It's heaving with pedestrians. 🤣
Rather than spending £6m + on traffic filters, imagine how much more useful it would have been to spend some of this money improving Oxford's decrepit active travel infrastructure.
I.e: Raising a few hundred metres of the Marston Cycle Path near the river by 2 feet, and installing more lights.
I.e: Raising a few hundred metres of the Marston Cycle Path near the river by 2 feet, and installing more lights.
November 29, 2024 at 7:52 AM
Rather than spending £6m + on traffic filters, imagine how much more useful it would have been to spend some of this money improving Oxford's decrepit active travel infrastructure.
I.e: Raising a few hundred metres of the Marston Cycle Path near the river by 2 feet, and installing more lights.
I.e: Raising a few hundred metres of the Marston Cycle Path near the river by 2 feet, and installing more lights.
That's probably a good idea.
Wrapped up in this proposal, in a typically euphemistic manner, was support for a “Kerbside Strategy for Oxford" that could potentially see 25% of on-street car parking axed.
So, after supporting CPZs across Oxford, the city council now want to tighten the screws.
Wrapped up in this proposal, in a typically euphemistic manner, was support for a “Kerbside Strategy for Oxford" that could potentially see 25% of on-street car parking axed.
So, after supporting CPZs across Oxford, the city council now want to tighten the screws.
Sajjad Malik (Real Independents, Temple Cowley): “It is a war on the working class. I’m going to vote against this motion.”
(Just to clarify, we are still discussing ‘Making Oxford a more walkable city’.)
(Just to clarify, we are still discussing ‘Making Oxford a more walkable city’.)
November 25, 2024 at 9:29 PM
That's probably a good idea.
Wrapped up in this proposal, in a typically euphemistic manner, was support for a “Kerbside Strategy for Oxford" that could potentially see 25% of on-street car parking axed.
So, after supporting CPZs across Oxford, the city council now want to tighten the screws.
Wrapped up in this proposal, in a typically euphemistic manner, was support for a “Kerbside Strategy for Oxford" that could potentially see 25% of on-street car parking axed.
So, after supporting CPZs across Oxford, the city council now want to tighten the screws.
Rather than debating an Independent Oxford Alliance motion to publish data on pollution levels inside the planned zero emmision zone expansion area, it appears that Oxford Labour and LibDem councillors mostly voted to end the meeting far earlier than normal.
How cynically unaccountable.
How cynically unaccountable.
November 25, 2024 at 8:59 PM
Rather than debating an Independent Oxford Alliance motion to publish data on pollution levels inside the planned zero emmision zone expansion area, it appears that Oxford Labour and LibDem councillors mostly voted to end the meeting far earlier than normal.
How cynically unaccountable.
How cynically unaccountable.
Indeed she did. She also asked why so many of Oxford's green spaces are shut off behind college walls.
Which is a very fair point.
Why does the university and its colleges get such a free pass in this city, to the detriment of residents and visitors?
Which is a very fair point.
Why does the university and its colleges get such a free pass in this city, to the detriment of residents and visitors?
November 25, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Indeed she did. She also asked why so many of Oxford's green spaces are shut off behind college walls.
Which is a very fair point.
Why does the university and its colleges get such a free pass in this city, to the detriment of residents and visitors?
Which is a very fair point.
Why does the university and its colleges get such a free pass in this city, to the detriment of residents and visitors?
This is interesting question.
We already know that private schools are a significant source of city centre congestion. But, rather than encouraging school bus pick ups and drop offs at park and ride locations, Oxford City Council seems to ban school buses from using these sites.
Why?
We already know that private schools are a significant source of city centre congestion. But, rather than encouraging school bus pick ups and drop offs at park and ride locations, Oxford City Council seems to ban school buses from using these sites.
Why?
November 25, 2024 at 6:55 PM
This is interesting question.
We already know that private schools are a significant source of city centre congestion. But, rather than encouraging school bus pick ups and drop offs at park and ride locations, Oxford City Council seems to ban school buses from using these sites.
Why?
We already know that private schools are a significant source of city centre congestion. But, rather than encouraging school bus pick ups and drop offs at park and ride locations, Oxford City Council seems to ban school buses from using these sites.
Why?
Oxfordshire County won't properly evaluate the likely impact of the traffic filters on businesses. So Oxford's indie councillors are asking the city council to do its own study, focusing on revenues and headcount.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24738380.calls-assess-traffic-filters-impact-trade-oxford/
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24738380.calls-assess-traffic-filters-impact-trade-oxford/
Council urged to assess impact of traffic filters on Oxford businesses
Oxford City Council have been urged to assess the impact traffic filters will have on small businesses in the city.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk
November 21, 2024 at 1:20 PM
Oxfordshire County won't properly evaluate the likely impact of the traffic filters on businesses. So Oxford's indie councillors are asking the city council to do its own study, focusing on revenues and headcount.
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24738380.calls-assess-traffic-filters-impact-trade-oxford/
www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24738380.calls-assess-traffic-filters-impact-trade-oxford/
Here's what a dark sky looks like in a surban Oxford Street at around 6.30am (there are no street lights). The only illumination comes from security lights - so you can barely see a thing if they aren't on.
And here's what an adjacent (lit) street looks like, minutes later. Which would you prefer?
And here's what an adjacent (lit) street looks like, minutes later. Which would you prefer?
November 20, 2024 at 8:25 AM
Here's what a dark sky looks like in a surban Oxford Street at around 6.30am (there are no street lights). The only illumination comes from security lights - so you can barely see a thing if they aren't on.
And here's what an adjacent (lit) street looks like, minutes later. Which would you prefer?
And here's what an adjacent (lit) street looks like, minutes later. Which would you prefer?
To mark @cycloxoxford.bsky.social AGM, we invite them to join our long-standing campaign to open up Oxford University's vast city centre parks and grounds to commuting via bike and walking.
The paths are already there, they're often compliant with shared path standards - they just need opening up.
The paths are already there, they're often compliant with shared path standards - they just need opening up.
November 19, 2024 at 5:55 PM
To mark @cycloxoxford.bsky.social AGM, we invite them to join our long-standing campaign to open up Oxford University's vast city centre parks and grounds to commuting via bike and walking.
The paths are already there, they're often compliant with shared path standards - they just need opening up.
The paths are already there, they're often compliant with shared path standards - they just need opening up.