LATEST NEWS-
26.02.24
Oxfordshire County Council are now conducting a range of technical surveys which, along with the qualitative data captured from the engagement exercises, will help to form the preliminary designs for the High Street/Market.
Cameras have been installed in the High Street to assist with these surveys.
Now that the consultation has closed, a quick look at the results can be found in this report of the Results of the Consultation
Here is an update from Oxfordshire County Council with more detailed information about the status of work and plans for Witney’s High Street.
https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/witney-high-street
On 13th November Milestone will be carrying out some minor roadworks on Witney High Street at the Welch Way junction, and Market Square at the Corn Street junction. The planters will be removed and temporary buildouts will be installed to make crossing the road near these junctions safer. These works are separate to the Witney High Street and Market Square enhancement project
Oxfordshire County Council has been awarded £1.98m from the Government’s Active Travel Fund for the design and delivery of street improvements that support and maintain the new traffic arrangement in Witney High Street and Market Square.
The funding comes from Active Travel England, but it comes with scope to improve the way the area is used as well as how residents travel through it. The improvements aim to:
- Enhance public spaces while protecting the town’s history and character
- Support local businesses and the market
- Make it easier and more enjoyable to walk, wheel and cycle
- Upgrade access to public transport
- Improve safety for all users
Councillor Dr Ruth Smith, Leader of the Council commented;
“Councillors have held out for residents’ input into improving the High Street. It’s been a long wait but now there’s a good team in place. Now it’s important for everyone to stay positive and take part in reimagining the space so it can become a place where we want to spend time, shop, meet up and enjoy our community.”
Map of the Project Area
It runs from the roundabout at Welch Way/Wesley Walk to the War Memorial, which is a bigger scope than many imagine.
The design will be shaped by residents’ ideas
Oxfordshire County Council is seeking your views to help shape the designs for enhancements to Witney High Street and Market Square.
This is a new endeavour for Witney, so the planners need to hear about needs and hopes for how the High Street is used and experienced, so that feasible designs can take these into account.
The Project Scope
The funding was granted on the understanding that the traffic restrictions are in place. This is a project to enhance the High Street itself.
The funding is not enough to completely reshape the area but any ideas that are “too big” for this phase, will not be wasted – please feed them in; the project team have said they might possibly write them up and even get the designers on the case to store for future funding opportunities.
Public Engagement
The Consultation is now closed.
The enhancements will be designed during the Autumn. There will then be a statutory consultation on the design, expected next Spring.
Interim Features
By Christmas, Oxfordshire County Council hopes the planters will be replaced with narrowed road entrances at each end of the restricted road, and clear restriction signs. The roundabouts will be removed, with clear signs about priority directions into and out of that section of High Street. These are road safety features and do not come out of the project budget. They may be changed in the final design or may fit in well with it.