Witney High Street Enhancement Scheme Nears Final Stages
Following community feedback, Oxfordshire County Council is considering further pedestrianisation of the Witney High Street.
The positives and negatives of pedestrianising the Witney High Street are being weighed up by Oxfordshire County Council following consultation with local residents and business owners.
Having been awarded £1.98m from the UK Government’s active travel fund, the Council is investing into the Witney High Street and Market Square enhancements scheme.
Following last year’s decision to maintain traffic restrictions on most private vehicles along Witney High Street and Market Square, the new proposal hopes to support the Oxfordshire Local Transport and Connectivity Plan by reducing the reliance on individual car journeys.
Two drop-in events were hosted at Witney Methodist Church in September, where town residents could learn more about the project and share their feedback.
The preliminary design plans proposed are as follows:
New seating - up to 15 new benches,
Trees and planting - up to 15 new trees to enhance air quality and provide shade,
Resurfacing 2300m2 of existing footway and creating 1200m2 of new footway space, with materials that complement Witney’s traditional Cotswold stone,
New footway areas which will support future wayfinding ambitions.
When asked about the scheme, Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy said:
“The Witney High Street and market square enhancements project is a great opportunity to deliver positive improvements that prioritise a key space for people to enjoy shopping and socialising, making it better to walk, wheel or cycle around.
“County council officers are working with local councillors, West Oxfordshire District Council and Witney Town Council to deliver an appealing scheme that promotes active travel while complementing Witney’s traditional heritage as a Cotswolds market town and supporting the town’s great local businesses.”
Despite some support, the proposals have drawn mixed responses.
Witney resident Kevin Green, who has lived in the town for 19 years, believes the High Street would benefit from pedestrianisation. “The High Street would be a much nicer place if it was completely pedestrianised,” he said. “The current setup of ‘no cars’ is not enforced so some people still drive down it, generally too fast and with little regard to anyone else.”
Some business owners are concerned that transport restrictions could hurt their operations, particularly regarding the loading and unloading of goods. Adrian Bullock, owner of local business Rush bar, and secretary of The Witney Chamber of Commerce, stated:
“The materials proposed for this project are an abomination and will ruin the look and feel of Witney forever,” Bullock said. “Practically, I do not believe there is enough loading provision for high street businesses, and it looks as though no consideration has been given on how the market traders will park to load/unload either.”
With the consultation period now closed, the Council will review responses and consider any necessary design changes. Subject to approval at a County Council Cabinet Member Decision meeting, construction is expected to begin early 2025.