This Saturday the walk by the Thames in Abingdon was slippery in places, but the air did not feel as cold as previous days.
People were running round Rye Farm Meadow, and at Abingdon Lock, but taking it more easily than usual – the weekly Parkrun time trail had been cancelled because of ice.
I gather the A34 northbound was closed at the Milton Interchange because of another accident involving a heavy good vehicle. Traffic was diverted through Steventon, Drayton and Abingdon, causing other routes to get slowed up.
There were lots of people at the coffee houses on what was a bright sunny day.
The town crier was out and about announcing the Local Excellence Market next Saturday (31st Jan 2015). The Abingdon Country Market (formerly known as WI Market) will be taking part. They have been excluded from the Farmers Market so this is an alternative outlet.
Looks like a Spring day.
Day-long congestion as a result of the incident on the A34 – bring on more housing and let’s have a real snarl-up!
When and if they ever sort out the Stert St chicane eyesore we were treated last week to a taste of the road congestion that would occur.The A34 always seems to have holdups re works or accidents and then Abingdon suffers.Makes you wonder what it would have been like if the bypass had not been built.
The stretch of the A34 from Reading to Oxford is very vulnerable when there is an incident. Because there is no hard shoulder, there is nowhere to tow vehicles to in safety and both lanes (in either direction) remain live. The only option is to close the entire carriageway and filter traffic off the affected section.
The “simple” remedy of building a hard shoulder (shudder at the planning and fiscal expenses and the traffic management problems!), would not be possible where the A34 travels through Botley because there is no room to expand sideways.
It is clear that the trunk and arterial road system in the area is overloaded, but successive governments have decided to spend money elsewhere. Who imagines that during the next parliament we will see a different decision? Frankly, I don’t!
Would those intending to stand for this constituency in the next General Election like to comment constructively and without self-justification?
I often shop at the Monday Market.
I admit I have visited the Farmers Market and the Abingdon Country Market but not purchased anything.
However I will definitely be visiting the Local Excellence Market next Saturday and purchasing something from the Abingdon Country Market stall. I will continue not to buy from the Farmers Market with their pathetic attitude. They should be grateful they are allowed to trade in the town centre.