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.
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-...
In reality, they shove them in anywhere it meets their car parking removal agenda (for example, on a hill) rather when they'd actually be useful (i.e. 100 yards away, at the bottom of the hill, where water actually collects).
Then they don't maintain them, so they become weed-infested litter traps.
Then they don't maintain them, so they become weed-infested litter traps.
February 7, 2025 at 10:30 PM
In reality, they shove them in anywhere it meets their car parking removal agenda (for example, on a hill) rather when they'd actually be useful (i.e. 100 yards away, at the bottom of the hill, where water actually collects).
Then they don't maintain them, so they become weed-infested litter traps.
Then they don't maintain them, so they become weed-infested litter traps.
Rain gardens are great, if you love rubbish strewn eyesores.
February 7, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Rain gardens are great, if you love rubbish strewn eyesores.
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...
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!)
We could do with getting some new official numbers for Rymers Lane, because the official LTN report suggested cycling numbers were lower after the LTN went in than before.
Do you have any post Covid numbers, indicating increased usage? Because these numbers indicate not.
Maybe we should ask?
Do you have any post Covid numbers, indicating increased usage? Because these numbers indicate not.
Maybe we should ask?
January 23, 2025 at 8:14 AM
We could do with getting some new official numbers for Rymers Lane, because the official LTN report suggested cycling numbers were lower after the LTN went in than before.
Do you have any post Covid numbers, indicating increased usage? Because these numbers indicate not.
Maybe we should ask?
Do you have any post Covid numbers, indicating increased usage? Because these numbers indicate not.
Maybe we should ask?
Ironically, it was only the IOA that put an upgrade to the Marston Cycle Path at the centre of its city election campaign. MCP floods regularly in winter at one end, and is unlit at the other end.
A political consensus on its improvement could be obtained - if OCC spend any money on such schemes.
A political consensus on its improvement could be obtained - if OCC spend any money on such schemes.
January 21, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Ironically, it was only the IOA that put an upgrade to the Marston Cycle Path at the centre of its city election campaign. MCP floods regularly in winter at one end, and is unlit at the other end.
A political consensus on its improvement could be obtained - if OCC spend any money on such schemes.
A political consensus on its improvement could be obtained - if OCC spend any money on such schemes.
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.
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.
For the benefit of Nathan Ley, here is what the LTNs did to air quality in Oxford. The worse pollution outcomes, city-wide, were strongly correlated with LTN boundary roads, and the best outcomes were..everywhere else.
The council didnt do this analysis, so we did.
Also, what's with the blocking?
The council didnt do this analysis, so we did.
Also, what's with the blocking?
December 11, 2024 at 10:01 AM
For the benefit of Nathan Ley, here is what the LTNs did to air quality in Oxford. The worse pollution outcomes, city-wide, were strongly correlated with LTN boundary roads, and the best outcomes were..everywhere else.
The council didnt do this analysis, so we did.
Also, what's with the blocking?
The council didnt do this analysis, so we did.
Also, what's with the blocking?
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).
Source: this.
December 10, 2024 at 3:32 PM
Source: this.
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.
"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. 🤣
Ideally they'll priorise funding active travel schemes with proven demand but inadequate existing infrastructure?
There are some good examples in Oxford.
There are some good examples in Oxford.
November 29, 2024 at 8:50 AM
Ideally they'll priorise funding active travel schemes with proven demand but inadequate existing infrastructure?
There are some good examples in Oxford.
There are some good examples in Oxford.
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.
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?
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.
If you want to hear other ideas them maybe don't block someone as soon as they disagree with you.
Grow up.
Grow up.
November 19, 2024 at 12:38 PM
If you want to hear other ideas them maybe don't block someone as soon as they disagree with you.
Grow up.
Grow up.