Editorial

Welcome to the 100th issue of the OCBP. I could never have imagined, that 18 years after I took over the page from David Root, I would still be producing the page, now in several incarnations and that your support would continue to be so good.

Indeed contributors have come and gone but some of you have stayed with me for all those years.

It was in September 2002 that I moved to 1&1 as my Domain Host and I must say they have been most efficient. In those earlier days I was able to provide a weekly page and this continued through to 2009 when the first issue of Spotting & Jottings appeared on August 24th of that year after 293 weekly issues of the News Page from September 2002.

Spottings & Jottings continued on a weekly issue basis until issue 52 in November 2011 when S&J became a monthly frequency but contained much more information and pictures.

Now, here we are at issue 100 - something of a milestone especially for me as I reach my 8th decade on planet earth!! I wonder how much longer I can continue? 

However with your support and contributions for sometime longer yet.

Now I have grouped, where appropriate, companies under the same ownership such as Go-Ahead and Stagecoach and I hope you like the new look? From the many emails received it seems you do.

A recent accident between a coach and a pedestrian at Carfax Corner has once again raised the debate about coaches coming into the city. Some comments are adamant that coaches should be banned and only allowed as far as the Park & ride sites whilst others highlight the problem for people with families and luggage having to use two, three or more buses to get the the Park & Ride or pay for a taxi. It seems that little thought has been given to the significant work required to make the Park & Rides available as a coach interchange.

For example why does the National Express 737 not use Thornhill? I understand it is because there is insufficient room. Of course the Councils would no doubt want someone else to pay for the planning and works required.

There were plans for a bus station under the new Westgate centre but that was shelved long ago.

I cannot help but agree with one comment in the Oxford Mail which said that cyclists were the greater danger. It was not so long ago that a cyclist was fined an additional £500 as compensation to an elderly lady knocked down on a crossing with the lights at red. I see cyclists often weave in and out of the pedestrians crossing the road and lets not mention the lack of lights, dark clothing and a hidden presence on these dark mornings.

No doubt there will be a howl of protest from cyclists at my comments but do please look around and see for yourselves.

Another item with a related theme was the councils intention to ban buses from Queen Street which has not taken place at this time but could still come in the future.

My only comment is "you cannot have your cake and eat it" if shoppers want to come by bus. At some stage a brave government is going to have to do something about our roads.

A recent article about travel in London suggested it was quicker by a horse and cart 150 years than it is now. Many other cities are the same and Oxford is not any exception. Indeed a proposal some years ago extolled the virtues of a large shuttle bus to operate within the city centre. This would be similar to airside transfer buses at airport. If people think the London and Airport coaches are big then take a look at what this would mean.

Only much wider than any present vehicles, would not go round city corners - need I say more?

Since the last issue we have seen a large number of new buses on the streets of Oxford from both major companies and some of these are now covered in this issue.

Well this completes our 100 Editorial of Spottings & Jottings and you can follow the menu on the left to see more in this issue.

Just an added remark is that I have not been too well in the last few weeks, hence the lack of an update in December - my apologies!