Why do people think that things aren’t working? Drive anywhere and it’s obvious. This is excellent on how austerity and the squeeze on local government finances has damaged the fabric of the nation and how the current government has done little to address it open.substack.com/pub/cllrdrna...

I'd had enough pictures of Tories pointing at potholes It's time for 3000 words of catharsis (fully sourced! And with new numbers!) (Apologies in advance for the AI image for those who are affected) open.substack.com/pub/cllrdrna...

Excellent article about how potholes got so bad and how the work being down to reverse the trend will take a little time.

I'd had enough pictures of Tories pointing at potholes It's time for 3000 words of catharsis (fully sourced! And with new numbers!) (Apologies in advance for the AI image for those who are affected) open.substack.com/pub/cllrdrna...

Literally 5 minutes walking to school in north Abingdon Amazing how many noises are returning when you listen out for it! 🐥🐦 And nice to see the Skylarks make a return to the list Anyone got any good ones recently? #springiscoming #merlin

"the haircut guy was being openly discussed in the United dressing room, spoke of “the pressure of the haircut"" Incredible. And so good.

🚧 Heads up if using the A34 (northbound) this month 🚧 There’s now a CLOSURE for overnight resurfacing work northbound between Hinksey Hill and Lodge Hill, running from 9 to 28 February 2026 (9pm-6am, excluding weekend). The signed diversion is via Marcham, Frilford and Botley, not Abingdon

At Oxfordshire County Council today, setting our first ever majority Liberal Democrat budget.

1/ If you're curious about what's happening with Oxfordshire's council reorganisation, County Councillor @nathanley.com has published a really clear explainer of the three options on the table over on his (brilliant) substack 👇🏽

Your council tax going up and your council services getting worse is not your local council's fault. Central government funding has been slashed so their overall money has plummeted. They're just offloading the outrage on to local officials.

Thoughts on the new Oxfordshire map coming this summer Local government reorganisation is happening…. open.substack.com/pub/cllrdrna...

Final plug for this. It's actually going down well on Facebook, I can't believe it Why you hate your council (or at least the reason that sits upstream of all the others.....)

Proper, time-intensive journalism (The sort of thing you’d expect from your local newspaper if it was any good) Have a read!

It took a while - since this driver ploughed their SUV into the bus stop and tree - but we *finally* got the bike racks reinstalled ✅ 'South Avenue' bus stop (Oxford Road, Abingdon), northbound direction #DriveSensibly #DontSpeed #LookAfterYourNeighbourhood

🚨 Arrests over massive illegal waste dump in Oxfordshire 🚨 Two men have been arrested as part of an Environment Agency investigation into the enormous illegal rubbish dump near Kidlington, between the River Cherwell and the A34. The site is believed to contain around 21,000 tonnes of waste

"Council should not be raising revnue" from school streets. May I remind the editor of our local newspaper that the only reason they are is because drivers choose to ignore the restrictions that were put in place to PROTETCT CHILDREN from getting hurt or killed outside their schools.

Everyone’s favourite cycle parking design, the Sheffield stand, will be mandated in Oxford City’s Local Plan. In a peak Liberal Democrat moment, the party’s amendment to require that “Cycle parking design should comply with [guidance document] LTN 1/20” was passed in the council debate this evening.

I tried to write about the underlying reason why everyone hates their council And they may have no idea about it open.substack.com/pub/cllrdrna...

Important read. How do we get these solutions going(?): "national funding that matches demographic reality a fairer way of sharing risk so families aren’t ruined a system that doesn’t rely on council tax (the nation’s most hated tax) to prop up a national failure"

I tried to write about the underlying reason why everyone hates their council And they may have no idea about it open.substack.com/pub/cllrdrna...

If illegal fly-posting reports on fixmystreet go into an endless merry-go-round of ‘someone else should do it, but we cba’…..turns out you can just go along and rectify it yourself ✂️ ✂️ ✂️

Hmm. If the numbers on this were reversed BlueSky would probably be absolutely saturated in posts (including from their national party) about this

Guys do we just accept this is what Oxford is gonna need? Or would the viewing cones people kick off? youtu.be/WqP4QipFCkc?...

Always have been a fan of these folks 🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰

It's great to see the positive impact of schemes like the LTNs. Councillors get a lot of flak, and hear some bizarre conspiracy theories about our motives, but it's worth it if lives have been saved and serious injuries prevented.

Lunacy. There's no other word that fits. The Green party would at once remove our only 2 deterrents to foreign aggression. Populists on the left are every bit as dangerous as those on the right.

Right-wing agitators fail. Good. Now, to claim the Council's costs....

This is it. When you occasionally hear the words 'social care reform' don't fall asleep.....it underpins good health outcomes for everyone else too

🚧 Advance notice: Oxford rail closure (1–9 Feb 2026) for BLOCKADE….and bridge DEMOLITION (and replacement..) No trains Oxford–Didcot (buses replace trains). Botley Rd walkway closed with an accessible station diversion. Essential bridge replacement to fully reopen Botley Road in 2026

Absolutely forensic and captivating stuff here from Jon (who is probably still on Twitter….) The rest of us can only dream! youtu.be/MdAz-OL09z4?...

Well done this MP. I'm shocked and disappointed most of them continue to post on Twitter. Hooked on their illusory and meaningless follower count from 16 years ago Move on!

Oxfordshire Politics starter pack by the fabulous @oxfordclarion.bsky.social go.bsky.app/Gf6AWuT

What has to happen before TVP actually support cyclists and other vulnerable road users? The new PCC needs to effect cultural change within TVP, or we will remain in this paralysis. @cycloxoxford.bsky.social @cohsat.bsky.social @nathanley.com @emilykerr36.bsky.social #cyclinglife

🎉 Happy New Year everyone! I’ve written a short reflection on why - despite everything - I choose to spend my spare time doing this And why I still believe participation and community matter If you have ten minutes spare, you can read it here: open.substack.com/pub/cllrdrna...

Greens rejoicing about active travel protects being cancelled because they might 'cause congestion'.... No party is perfect eh www.bbc.com/news/article...

At #Christmas we tell the truth: “Whichever way you look at it, you can’t reach the potential of cycling without making it much more safe and hospitable to cycle. It all comes down to that basic fact.” @matthewbarber.co.uk 👀 www.theguardian.com/news/2025/de...

@footballcliches.bsky.social @cdeccleshare.bsky.social Watching Everton Arsenal following the Darts last night. Begs the question: Is ‘Keane Barry’ the most Everton-coded Darts player technically possible, ever?

First time I’ve seen a little egret right in Abingdon town centre, on the River Stert 🦢 These wading birds feed on small fish and insects, so it’s great to see wildlife using our river right through the heart of town!

🌲🌳 It's really nice to see the highways tree planting scheme again this season! Especially gratifying to have received positive feedback about their trees from the households who specifically asked me for some in their street when I posted this shout-out this time last year

The pain is worth the effort! (so I tell myself..) "Oxfordshire awarded active travel rating upgrade" news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-...

I have learned the hard way (again) - watch out for ice during the winter! 🙈 This was by Dalton Barracks this Wednesday morning on the way to work Thanks to all the nice drivers who stopped to help, and especially George from Grove who got me (and the battered bike) home. Humanity at its best

I agree with this piece. I'd also say Labour is in denial about who votes for it these days. Hammering higher earning working age people in favour of pension benefits (who will never vote for them) will not end well for them

Not a serious country or a reliable partner

🚨 One for Abingdon Locals: The Lodge Hill junction when approaching from Hinksey Hill/Sunningwell/Bagley Wood *still* has this priority As of today they have basically agreed to make the signs larger on the approach, as shown. It is apparently now better lit as well

Facebook has a lot to answer for

I've spent a lot of my political career listening to Labour activists call me, as a Lib Dem, a 'yellow Tory'. Yet here is a Labour Government announcing a bunch of policies that are simply cruel, apparently due to political panic. Any decent Labour members left need to stop this.

🥳 Today I’m celebrating the milestone of 3000 (!) followers (on another platform!) 🎈 Celebrating than with the 300(0) Park and Ride Bus from Redbridge, where the bus is FREE and it’s £2.50 for all day parking for our family! (And now only 7 minutes to reach the city centre, which is heaving 🚌)

There isn’t louder outcry over this because the bit that normal people see (Council Tax) is always going up. So sympathy from normal people just isn’t there!

Prime example of why the contract between the public and the police is breaking down, regardless of long term crime trends. Thames Valley Police don’t even think it’s their job to investigate this. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...