Lines Redrawn in West St Helen Street

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In West St Helen Street, and nearby roads, a crew with a line-painting lorry have been refreshing and replacing the road markings. New marking paint is melted in a tank and extruded onto the road surface before cooling and hardening.

Old lines are removed by heating them to soften the material, then it is scraped away. The double yellow lines near the Co-op are being replaced with a 30-minute limited-waiting bay. Opposite, the parking outside the Salvation Army has been replaced by double yellow lines. These parking changes were agreed on 22 January by Oxfordshire County Council following an earlier consultation.

“Residents’ Parking” lettering and bay markings were refreshed and added in St Edmunds Lane. There are new double yellow lines, particularly at corners.

Cones have been left by sections that still need doing where the crew are waiting for vehicles to be moved.

River Thames and Sunshine at Margaret Brown Gardens

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Today’s sunshine was a welcome contrast to yesterday’s rain. From Margaret Brown Gardens, the River Thames reflected the bright sky and the buildings of St Helen’s Wharf like a mirror.

For much of last year there were several juvenile swans along this stretch of river. Now we seem to be down to just two. Perhaps they are a pair.

There is usually a drop to the water here, and the swans are seen from above. With the river still high, they are almost at path level.

Water from West St Helen Street to Wilsham Road

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More rain fell today, and puddles grew again in West St Helen Street.

Some cars and vans are now using St Helen’s Wharf after threading their way through the roadworks either side of the iron bridge.

The River Thames remains high after another wet weekend, its waters still spreading across the floodplain,

and the Wilsham Road moorings.

There is a smell of diesel in places, particularly St Helens Wharf.

Sealed Litter Bins

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There are three litter bins close together in Old Station Yard, Abingdon. All three have been wrapped in blue liners and sealed with tape and carry a notice from Vale of White Horse District Council: ‘Litter Bin Not In Use. Please take your litter home with you.’

I tried looking on the VWHDC website. I did not find the reason but did find that town centre bins are emptied daily, outer town bins once a week, and others when they are around 75% full.

70% of what goes into public litter bins could  be recycled. Once mixed with food waste, liquids or dog mess, they must be disposed of as general waste.  The website says public litter bins are intended for general rubbish such as:
* Sandwich packaging
* Fast food packaging
* Disposable coffee cups
* Soft plastics and wrappers
* Bagged dog waste.