Stert Street Culvert Maintenance in progress

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Stert Street was closed overnight to prepare for work on the culvert beneath. Contractors put up barriers and marked spots for new access holes to make it easier to reach the River Stert culvert underneath the footpath. The maintenance work and improvements will continue until May 16th, with another closure that night to remove the barriers. Traffic on the main road will not be affected, but the parking area outside 35-47 Stert Street (near Masons) will be used to store materials for the work.

For more information about this and other roadworks in Abingdon, view: https://one.network/.

Waitrose Memory

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I’m back after a couple of days away and missed the Waitrose 30th birthday celebrations when there were balloons.

There is still a board where people can leave their favourite memories.

I remember the Kugel Fountain in the original entrance/exit (now just the exit.) Children and some adults would spin the round stone as it aquaplaned on a film of water.

Spring is here

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Today was sunny and warm. The daffodils over the other side of the River Thames are in full bloom.

Sticky buds are bursting open on horse chestnut trees.

Blackthorn is blossoming.

Over the road, the trees have started to green, and the houses opposite will soon be hidden by leaves. The Spring Equinox was yesterday. Spring is here!

Town Council Meeting – 20th March 2024

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There will be an Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council Meeting this evening. I am unable to attend, but here’s a breakdown of the key points from the meeting agenda and council papers. The papers can be viewed at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Agenda-Town-council-20.3.24-2.pdf

Abingdon VWHDC District Councillors’ Reports:
* The council objected to the Thames Water price hike.
The VWHDC council’s business included:
* Public toilet charging (20p contactless, free with RADAR key) to reduce vandalism.
* Local plan to 2041 consultation.
* Care home/nursery and housing development proposals near Aldi.
* Brown bin garden waste scheme (stickered bins only will be collected).
* Ward boundary changes (Abingdon likely to have 1 councillor fewer due to slower population growth).

Town Council Committee Discussions:

Community Committee:
* Reviewed grant applications.
* Discussed museum management.
* Agreed to set up a public art working group.
* Approved a new 10-year Michaelmas Fair contract with opening on Sunday afternoon after a 3pm fair service.

Environment Committee:
* Praised outdoor services team, especially for bad weather work (including Hillview path relaying).
* Discussed installing new signs on council land.
* Agreed to improve Chaunterell Way and Masefield Close play areas.
* Discussed installing a container at Chaunterell Way for EA temporary flood barriers (£5k allocation).


Infrastructure Committee:
* Approved a new public toilet scheme with participating businesses (sign already displayed in Coffee Aroma).
* Discussed the number 41 bus service (funded by the Town Council).
* Discussed updating the neighbourhood plan due to the Local Plan 2041 consultation.
* Finalised locations for speed indicator signs.

Finance Committee:
* Will develop a new strategic plan, starting with a strategy day for councillors.
* Will care for two road roundabouts for a year.

Other:
An updated flag policy for the County Hall Museum is available at https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Item-14-Flag-policy-Town-council-20.3.24.pdf.

The council will discuss NHS provision in Abingdon due to population growth and strain on GP practices, dentists, and urgent care. The council will then find the best way to urge the Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board to increase NHS provision, and publicise their concerns.

P.S. If anybody does go and can give me an update to this report, the meeting is at 7 pm in the Old Magistrates Court.