<\/p>\n
\n In a scathing statement, released last week, Witney and District Chamber of Commerce slammed amendments to the already controversial project to upgrade the town’s High Street and Market Square.\n<\/p>\n
\n The scheme is being delivered throughout the year, with the budget put at \u00a34.4 million.\n<\/p>\n
\n Once concluded, the area will feature new seating areas, resurfacing of approximately 2,000m2 of existing footways\u00a0and creating over\u00a01,000m2 of new footway space, and a new bus stop for community transport.\n<\/p>\n
\n READ MORE: Leader’s concerns at \u00a34.4m Oxfordshire high street works\n<\/p>\n
\n However amendments highlighted by the Chamber of Commerce and confirmed by Oxfordshire County Council mean that several above ground planters will not be delivered and some trees will not be planted.\n<\/p>\n
\n A spokesperson for the county council said: “While early design proposals included above ground planters within Witney High Street and Market Square enhancements project, amendments were made to the design to deliver in-ground planting for trees at several locations.\n<\/p>\n
\n Witney High Street before the scheme began (Image: EdNix)\n<\/p>\n
\n “This change was in response to local feedback on the planting proposals, to minimise future maintenance requirements and as part of a cost review to manage the scheme budget.”\n<\/p>\n
\n The plans for the scheme were presented for approval at a cabinet decision member meeting in March and shared at a public drop-in event in April prior to the works beginning.\n<\/p>\n
\n The second half of the project began on August 9 with the council acknowledging that “the location of underground services and further necessary drainage repairs have reduced some opportunities for in-ground tree planting”.\n<\/p>\n
\n Witney and District Chamber of Commerce chair Adrian Bullock (Image: Witney and District Chamber of Commerce)\n<\/p>\n
\n The Liberal Democrat-run authority added: “Tree planting will still be carried out where feasible and two semi-mature trees will be planted at the northern end of the project area close to the junction with Welch Way.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Following consultations with other local government bodies these may be placed in the town centre.\n<\/p>\n
\n Adrian Bullock, chair of the Chamber of Commerce said that the elements dropped represented the “greatest opportunity” within the scheme to deliver something that would benefit Witney.\n<\/p>\n
\n Duncan Enright, Labour deputy leader of West Oxfordshire District Council. (Image: WODC)\n<\/p>\n
\n Mr Bullock added: “We ask that Oxfordshire County Council stand up to their promises to the people of Witney and deliver what the people most supported during the consultations which was more seating, more greenery and more trees.”\n<\/p>\n
\n The deputy leader of West Oxfordshire District Council called the news “extremely frustrating” and said it was further evidence that council reorganisation is needed.\n<\/p>\n
\n READ MORE: Oxford boy, 14, drowned in River Thames ‘trying to save friends’\n<\/p>\n
\n Those plans – for three new unitary councils – were paused earlier this month following legal advice given to the UK government.\n<\/p>\n
\n Duncan Enright of the Labour party said: \u201cDelays have also played a part, and this project goes to prove that decisions about spending public money, and in designing our public realm, are better made closer to home rather than from County Hall.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThe sooner we see the back of the county council, and get a unitary council for North Oxfordshire with empowered town councils, the better.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
#Business #anger #Oxfordshire #high #street #project<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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