Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 14/10/2026The Irwin Mitchell report is citing evidence for the laboratory shortage from 2023. 011 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 10/10/2026*effectively unwind Eric Pickles' restrictions on CCTV in the Deregulation Act 2015, by using the powers in that act to allow exceptions. Probably would need a consultation/etc, but crucially wouldn't need parliamentary time. 0141 14
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 10/10/2026With little more than the stroke of a pen*, government could allow enforcement of double yellow lines, loading bays, etc, by camera enforcement with PCNs sent by post, rather than requiring an officer to fix the paperwork to the windscreen. 3254 25
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 05/10/2026Apart from being fun, the unique selling point seems to be that you can lay the tracks on top of infrastructure from Thames Water, SGN, etc. Which worries me, since there are bits of road that seem to be dug up by these orgs more often than they are intact, and at least buses can reroute around them 000 0
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 04/10/2026There's even options! (Stick to the Garsington Road pavement cycle path, or use the businesses park cut throughs) 110 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 29/09/2026As the modelling predicted. BuT whY ArN'T tHerE anY fiLtErs iN nOrTh oxForD??1!eleven! 111 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 28/09/2026The Voi and Lime bikes described with the word zoom in the article, cut out the motor at 15.5 mph and are incredibly heavy to operate without. They might be able to reach the motor-vehicle speed limits downhill, I suppose. Those speed limits don't apply in law to pedal bikes, but are still sensible. 150 5
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 26/09/2026Not as glamorous a part of Oxford (outside Florence Park Community Centre), but still a sky worth capturing! 020 2
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 25/09/2026AI? It can't be coincidence that the pairs are always two men or two women, surely? But I guess it is coincidence that the men are usually two middle aged white men in suits. 110 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 25/09/2026So have you got data on which MPs are physically most similar to each other? Apart from this game, I can't think of any use for that, but I still like that it exists. 110 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 25/09/2026Dualit Classic, maybe (not cheap mind!) www.theguardian.com/thefilter/20... We've got a no-name blue kettle that's lasted 24 years, so this isn't from personal experience, sorry!theguardian.comThe best kettles in the UK to save energy and speed up your cuppa, testedWe boiled litres of water to find the best electric kettles, from hard-water heroes to vintage-style, repairable and wifi-connected models 110 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026I also think the council are fundamentally misguided in trying to combine the ETRO and standard TRO processes, and should just use the latter. If you go through a long, expensive and, dare I say it, divisive consultation before implementation, then you've lost the agile experimental core of an ETRO. 011 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 21/09/2026It is a trial in the sense a ship has a "sea trial": proof that the modelling and assumptions behind decisions are good. I do agree the council has poorly communicated this, especially against those who disingenuously claim "trial" can only be used in the sense used in EG "trial period". 211 2
Reposted by Stephen GowerJennifer Yee @jenwhy.bsky.social · 19/09/2026From the Bodleian exhibition on pets, I note that this ancient Egyptian papyrus is a receipt for a congestion charge for a camel. The choice of wording is, I suspect, a very Oxford joke. 093 9
Reposted by Stephen GowerLaura Gordon @lauragordon.bsky.social · 18/09/2026I am the local LD councillor and I have not supported this campaign. No one asked me to, presumably because they knew what I'd say. This just absolutely, categorically untrue. 12585206 585
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 16/09/2026I've got an SDS chisel bit, but it's got a tendency to remove a lot more wall than intended. 020 2
Reposted by Stephen GowerJonn Elledge @jonnelledge.bsky.social · 16/09/2026I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received - and that consequently, this country is at war with Piddington. 571104195 1.1K
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 13/09/2026As per the post you're replying to, they are filming for social media, so any sort of attack would be a win for them. 011 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 05/09/2026When Matty Marren was landlord. Sausage and Mash menu, monkey nut shells on the floor, and all the Morrels tat-on-the-walls (and ceiling) you could imagine. One detail though, I remember that was actual turf inside for the garden that summer! (Perhaps only the first year he did it, maybe?) 110 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 04/09/2026It's changed a bit since Morse visited it in The Dead of Jericho: youtu.be/GEmy5ZQU4iQ?... 110 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 03/09/2026I would be interested to know why it doesn't include Blackbird Leys Park or Donnington Rec (for example). I thought it might be about it being recreation grounds, not parks, but New Marston Rec is there. 000 0
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 28/08/2026I think I'm contractually obliged not to be rewarded for this sort of task :-) 010 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 27/08/2026www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CJV7P1C2 at £126.22 Or avoiding Amazon www.cartridgepeople.com/Printers-for... at £144.90. Shout if that's too much or anything and I'll dig again. 130 3
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 27/08/2026Another minor update (v1.2). Some purple pixels around the HBS filter just to make it clear this route to Westgate/etc is not filtered, a few white pixels for clarity, and better rendering settings generally when zoomed in. Please now share this one ongoing (again under original terms up thread). 162 6
Reposted by Stephen GowerBadly Parked Oxford @badlyparkedox.bsky.social · 21/08/2026Marston St stub can be opened for emergency vehicles. This firefighter says they are often blocked by #badlyparkedcars. #dangerousparking 2407 40
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 20/08/2026Odd, I've got an unlimited permit because of figure-skating offspring, and a 100 day permit for being a city resident. I can switch on the zatpermit website which one is "auto-redeemed" if I drive through a Congestion Charge point. 100 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 20/08/2026Minor update (v1.1) after feedback. "Four colours" now in text to aid those with colour blindness know they've found them all, and Queen's Lane has some white pixels to stop any confusion that it might be a through route. Please share this version if you have a choice (same terms as up thread). 270 7
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 20/08/2026If Tom Holland's Lip Sync Battle is posted, you have to watch it. It's the rule. 110 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 19/08/2026I've updated my previous work to make an unofficial map to help explain Oxford's traffic filters, due to start on 28th September. Please share if useful, but not for republication in news media, advertising or political/campaign material without further approval from me. 2325 32
Reposted by Stephen GowerAlex von Tunzelmann @alexvont.bsky.social · 12/08/2026Stop considering it. Just ban them. Do it now. Disposable barbecues are (a) useless as BBQs, take ages, food often still raw in middle, (b) environmentally horrible, (c) incredibly good at starting massive fires. There is no good argument for them. Bin them off www.theguardian.com/society/2026...theguardian.comBurnham to consider ban on disposable barbecues as wildfires rage in UKPM to look at imposing restriction in public spaces, though campaigners fear it does not go far enough 321058239 1.1K
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 12/08/2026I liked the excuse of taking our colander to the park to meet up with other people who had done the same. A bit like dog walking without needing the dog. 040 4
Reposted by Stephen GowerSir Basil @sirbasil.bsky.social · 10/08/2026I don't think there should be a defibrilator on Snowdon. And that's a hill I'm prepared to die on 693338695 3.3K
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 09/08/2026More of their Oxford story at www.headington.org.uk/art/x_moulin... 120 2
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 08/08/2026I think the French have it right bsky.app/profile/sjgo... Although I did notice a few cars going faster than I would have liked down the separated bits, so perhaps we need to consider unexpected consequences. 010 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 08/08/2026Honourable mention to small hedge with bollards separating footway from carriageway on a residential street and big old chunks of rock protecting a grassed area. 110 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 08/08/2026I know it's not new news that the French are generous with their bollards, but that doesn't stop me taking lots of photos of them. 140 4
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 07/08/2026Thank you for your welcome earlier in the week. We've had a lovely break, eaten far too much, and are now heading back to the UK. 110 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 06/08/2026Taking omeprazole for reflux knocked my B12 levels completely. If you start feeling super tired, get a blood test! 120 2
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 03/08/2026Family holiday to Lille. I think @eurostarjustin.bsky.social might be our train manager 🚄🌊 110 1
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 01/08/2026Whatever you like or dislike about Switzerland, the flag is a big plus. 041 4
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 31/07/2026OSM is released under Open Database License (ODbL) which is apparently not compatible with Google's business model - notably the share-alike clauses for derived databases. For the same reason, Google data should not be used as a source for OSM edits. 130 3
Stephen Gower @sjgower.eurosky.social · 21/07/2026It is safety - downhill is an exception, but with the extra weight of motor and battery, most people won't go any faster than the point it which the e-assist cuts out. It's a practical maximum speed. 010 1
