Two new articles from Hazel Dawe about women and cycling in Oxford:
Hazel has done two articles on cycling which may be of interest:
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https://westenglandbylines.co.uk/opinion/why-are-cyclists-killed-by-drivers-on-our-roads/
STOPPING AIRPORT EXPANSION, STARTING AIRPORT CONVERSIONS TO OTHER USES
Why should we all oppose airport expansion? Why should we all strongly support conversion of some airports to other uses? Do we need to support so many people going abroad by plane when rail use would allow them to reach locations in Europe? Why should we all be subsidising airports by providing and sometimes maintaining the road and rail links which serve them?
See two articles on this highly contested issue:
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THE WARNEFORD HOSPITAL RE-DEVELOPMENT: an impending traffic disaster
The re-development of the Warneford Hospital is to include an extra 230 parking spaces, some questionable traffic measures and there have yet to be staff parking restrictions on this site. Other sites and employers do restrict or obstruct staff parking to ensure their institution helps in the fight against traffic congestion in Oxford. We all have until 19 9 2025 to comment on the Warneford Hospital proposals, which are in an area heavily-congested in rush hour-schools. See our submission:
OXFORD CONGESTION CHARGE: a short saga
The Oxford Congestion Charge is a modest attempt to help reduce traffic in highly-congested Oxford. As with all traffic reduction measures, there is opposition which is very vocal. Studies have shown most people in Oxford want traffic reduction measures, making objections minority views that the County Council and other bodies feel free to ignore. SEE:
Submission CATG Warneford hospital re-devt Augst 2025
NON EXHAUST EMISSIONS FROM TRAFFIC: a major problem lacking solutions
Just having more electric vehicles will not deal with non-exhaust emissions which include particulates from brake pads, clutches, tyres and from road abrasion too. These particulates are toxic; reducing public exposure would require less traffic, not even more and far larger pedestrianised areas in our settlements. See article about this at:
Non-exhaust emissions and the case for expanding pedestrianisation
BOOK REVIEW: How Railways will fix the future
Railway expansion and renovations are vital to reducing traffic and greenhouse gas emissions. See this review of Gareth Dennis’s new book:
Book review: Gareth Dennis – How Railways Will Fix the Future
LAND USE: CLIMATE, ECOLOGICAL AND TRANSPORT QUESTIONS
The Government is running a consultation on Land Use until 25th April 2025. This raises a wide variety of questions as the Government is undermining what little planning controls exist for development. As the most nature-depleted country, and one which badly needs to grow more of its own food, building more on the landscape is a peculiar choice when our settlements need attention: the empty built environment should be used for providing more housing; spaces above the surface level of the vast brownfield reserve of surface car parks should be used for apartments. See our response to the Government consulation in OTHER RELEVANT SUBMISSIONS on this website, and make your own submission by 25/4. Submission Land Use Consultation 2 2025
CAR DEPENDENCY: built into new developments?
A new report indicates that features of new developments often tend to encourage car dependency, adding to existing traffic problems. This is clearly an issue here in Oxford. See this review of the Report, and do take a look at the full Report if you have time:
Review: Trapped Behind the Wheel: how England’s new builds lock us into car dependency
INTEGRATED TRANPORT POLICY? NOT YET……..
The Government is consulting on an Integrated Transport Policy until 30 1 2025. Here is an article questioning what this may mean:
PEDESTRIAN POUNDS MATTER MORE THAN THOSE CARRIED BY CAR DRIVERS?
See this Review of a new report THE PEDESTRIAN POUND and learn how pedestrians (like cyclists) are much better for shopping and therefore for local businesses than those who travel by car. Review: