Witney High Street and Market Square enhancements: design consultation
Consultation has concluded
Witney High Street and Market Square enhancements is a scheme to deliver active travel street improvements that support and maintain the traffic arrangement on Witney High Street and Market Square. It supports our objectives to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier and more pleasant for everyone.
The improvements would aim to complement the town’s history and character but would also help to improve the look and feel of Witney for visitors and for those arriving by walking, cycling or public transport.
In September 2023 we asked people to share with us what was really important to them and tell us about things that they would like to improve. This helped us design a plan for making enhancements to Witney High Street and Market Square. Responding to what most people told us they would like to see, we propose to deliver improvements including:
- new seating - up to 15 new benches where people can sit and socialise
- trees and planting - up to 15 new trees giving shelter and boosting air quality; and up to 14 new low-level planted areas
- resurfacing 2300m2 of existing footway and creating 1200m2 of new footway space to complement the traditional Cotswold stone in the town centre
- new footway areas which will support future wayfinding ambitions celebrating the town's heritage
Background
Oxfordshire County Council has been awarded £1.98m from the UK Government’s active travel fund - Active Travel England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
In 2023 we asked local people and businesses to help us design a plan for making enhancements to Witney High Street and Market Square by sharing what was important to them and what things they would like to improve. This community engagement identified several priorities to be taken forward in the designs. Most people supported all the project objectives:
- Enhance public spaces while protecting the town’s history and character
- Support local businesses and the markets
- Make it easier and more enjoyable to walk, wheel and cycle
- Upgrade access to public transport
- Improve safety for all users
You can read more about the first stage of the scheme and see the report from the community engagement and survey here: https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/witney-high-street
The Frequently asked questions (FAQs) section provides answers to common queries about the scheme.
Next steps
The consultation finished on 9 October 2024. We reviewed all the responses received to identify and plan for any necessary design changes. A report on this recent public consultation is available to see on this page, and the council is now using the learning from participants to improve the designs. Once the design adjustments have been made, the plans will be presented for statutory consultation in early 2025, with construction then anticipated to begin in summer 2025.
Timescales
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| Community engagement | Autumn 2023 |
| Public consultation to review design proposals | Autumn 2024 |
| Final design option presented for consultation | Early 2025 |
| Construction start | Summer 2025 |
| Construction finish | Summer 2025 |
Having your say
We asked you for your thoughts on the resulting preliminary designs for enhancements to Witney High Street and Market Square. which could be shared by answering a survey between 12pm on 11 September and 11.59pm on 9 October, or writing to us at witneyhighstreet@oxfordshire.gov.uk, or by giving your feedback to a council officer or your local councillor.
More than 15,000 addresses across Witney received a flyer promoting the survey and the events. Posters were displayed around the town centre. Paper survey forms, plan copies and flyers were available at customer service points in Witney. An Oxfordshire County Council press release announced the survey and provided more information about the proposals - including a link to the dedicated web and survey pages. Social media messages were posted on X (Twitter) and NextDoor to promote the survey and events.
We held two public events at Witney Methodist Church, 40 High Street, Witney OX28 6HG where members of the public could drop in to learn more and share feedback:
- Saturday 14 September 10am–4pm (185 visitors)
- Thursday 19 September 4pm–8pm (87 visitors)
During the consultation over 1,800 people accessed the online survey, 272 attended drop-in events, and 417 completed the survey, with most respondents living in Witney or West Oxfordshire.
The results showed general support for the proposals. Respondents appreciated the plans' focus on enhancing the town centre as a welcoming, enjoyable place that preserves Witney’s history and character, supports local businesses, and promotes safer, more accessible walking, wheeling, and cycling.
