Witney High Street and Market Square enhancements: design consultation

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.