Wantage: Market Place - proposed prohibition of motor vehicles & parking amendments

Following the expiration of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (see here for details) within the Market Place area of Wantage, and the subsequent approval to make it permanent in March 2023 (see item no.59/22 here), we're now asking for your views on the proposals to introduce an amended version of the scheme, including the prohibition of motor vehicles & parking changes.

The proposals will continue to facilitate safer pedestrian movement and the safe use of tables and chairs by the adjacent hospitality businesses, and following further comments from the public and retail properties, some proposed adjustments being considered:

1. Driving into/through the closed areas will continue to be prohibited within Market Place, and exemptions for access will be permitted for deliveries/collections, statutory services, essential access to premises, and for emergency services.
2. The following signed & lined parking areas within the closure area will not be reinstated, and waiting will continue to be prohibited:
   • The 30-minute time limited parking places (Mon-Sat 8am-6pm) on the west side of Alfred Street (approx. 3 spaces), and the southern side of Market Square (approx.3 spaces),
   • the Motorcycle parking places on the west side of Alfred Street.
3. The two existing Disabled Persons Parking Places on the south side of Market Square will be relocated further eastwards, adjacent to the new proposed ‘horse-shoe’ carriageway alignment, with the current bus bay shortened marginally, and
4. the Taxi rank (for approx. 7 vehicles) located on the north side of Market Squarewill be relocated further eastwards to sit adjacent to the new proposed ‘horse-shoe’ arrangement, and shortened to provide space for approx. 4 vehicles.

   • Two Taxi spaces at the southwest end are to be `shared use` i.e. to allow general loading from ‘5am to 10am & from 2.30pm to 4pm all days (1 hour stay, no return within 1 hour) and for taxis outside of these times.

Have your say.

Please read the detailed information provided on this consultation and take the time to complete the survey as your views and opinions matter. Your response should be completed and returned by 5pm on Friday 15 September 2023.

Whilst we will endeavor to answer simple queries during the course of the consultation, any more complex questions/issues will be appraised and dealt with as part of consultation process.

What happens next?

The County Council will review the responses and if necessary (i.e. if objections are received) prepare a report to be presented to the Cabinet Member for Highway Management at a meeting scheduled for later in 2023. This will be public meeting at which members of the public may apply to speak. The agenda and reports for meetings will be made available on the Oxfordshire County Council web site about a week before the meeting (please note that occasionally it is necessary to defer reports to a later meeting, and it is therefore advisable to check the agenda ahead of attending a meeting). The Forward Plan of decisions meetings can be viewed here.