Oxfordshire high street project set to last all summer

The construction schedule for the Witney High Street and Market Square Project is due to go to Oxfordshire County Council for final sign-off on Thursday, 26 March.

If it is given the all-clear, the works, which aim to improve walking and cycling access and road safety, will start in early May.

In addition, it will introduce more trees, more seating and improved footway surfacing to the area and an automatic number plate recognition camera will be installed.

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A spokesperson for the county council said: “The project will create a more welcoming public realm that encourages more people to visit.”

The local authority intends for the work to last 26 weeks, so it is completed ahead of winter.

However, this start date is later than even recent plans which would have seen construction begin in early 2026 and end in the summer.

Thomas Ashby of Witney Town Council (Image: Thomas Ashby)

Indeed, Witney councillor Thomas Ashby has criticised the “poorly judged” timing of the works.

The Conservative said: “By scheduled construction over the summer, the council is creating significant hurdles for hospitality venues that depend on outdoor service during the warmer months.

“Between the disruption to front-of-house trade and the decision to turn parts of the Woolgate Car Park into a ‘site depot,’ it is clear there has been a profound lack of communication and forward thinking.”

Councillor Andrew Coles (Image: Oxford Mail)

Fellow councillor Andrew Coles was also critical and left feeling “deeply frustrated” by the delays, although he appreciated it was due to funding.

Indeed, the scheme’s budget is now well beyond the £1.98m awarded by Active Travel England, with the new budget set at £4.4m.

The council said this will let it “deliver more of what people told us they would like while meeting increasing materials and labour prices”.

On the overall scheme, Mr Coles was enthusiastic.

Witney and District Chamber of Commerce chair Adrian Bullock (Image: Witney and District Chamber of Commerce)

The Labour politician said: “The enhancements will undoubtedly bring a benefit to Witney and for local people that live in the centre of town as well as all those that come to Witney to visit and shop.”

He added that it is essential it is completed before the Christmas trading period.

Despite his endorsement, the scheme is far from universally popular.

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Adrian Bullock of the Witney and District Chamber of Commerce cited major concerns about its cost, aims and impact on traffic flow.

He said: “It is likely there will be issues with deliveries blocking the road and the proposals to have several sections of single carriageway will result in bottle necks along its length.”

If he could make one addition to the scheme it would be the inclusion of a small number of 15 minute parking spaces, which he said would give ordinary cars high street access.

He added: “While we believe the high street could have been treated differently than it is. Witney is still a great place to visit, shop, explore, eat and relax.”