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\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n READ MORE: Oxfordshire town welcomes new curry restaurant to high street\n<\/p>\n
\n A spokesperson for the county council said: \u201cThe project will create a more welcoming public realm that encourages more people to visit.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n The local authority intends for the work to last 26 weeks, so it is completed ahead of winter.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, this start date is later than even recent plans which would have seen construction begin in early 2026 and end in the summer.\n<\/p>\n
\n Thomas Ashby of Witney Town Council (Image: Thomas Ashby)\n<\/p>\n
\n Indeed, Witney councillor Thomas Ashby has criticised the \u201cpoorly judged\u201d timing of the works.\n<\/p>\n
\n The Conservative said: \u201cBy scheduled construction over the summer, the council is creating significant hurdles for hospitality venues that depend on outdoor service during the warmer months.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cBetween 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.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Councillor Andrew Coles (Image: Oxford Mail)\n<\/p>\n
\n Fellow councillor Andrew Coles was also critical and left feeling \u201cdeeply frustrated\u201d by the delays, although he appreciated it was due to funding.\n<\/p>\n
\n Indeed, the scheme\u2019s budget is now well beyond the \u00a31.98m awarded by Active Travel England, with the new budget set at \u00a34.4m.\n<\/p>\n
\n The council said this will let it \u201cdeliver more of what people told us they would like while meeting increasing materials and labour prices\u201d.\n<\/p>\n
\n On the overall scheme, Mr Coles was enthusiastic.\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 Labour politician said: \u201cThe 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.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n He added that it is essential it is completed before the Christmas trading period.\n<\/p>\n
\n Despite his endorsement, the scheme is far from universally popular.\n<\/p>\n
\n READ MORE: Golden buzzer for jubilant Jeremy Clarkson choir on Britain’s Got Talent\n<\/p>\n
\n Adrian Bullock of the Witney and District Chamber of Commerce cited major concerns about its cost, aims and impact on traffic flow.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: \u201cIt 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.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n 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.\n<\/p>\n
\n He added: \u201cWhile 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.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
#Oxfordshire #high #street #project #set #summer<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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