Involve Residents in Plans for the Future of Witney High Street

In Summer 2022, Oxfordshire County Council were allocated £1.9million towards the future of Witney High Street. So far all we have seen is some signs stating that the High Street is closed to private vehicles.

Since the original closure to private vehicles to combat Covid-19 residents in Witney have been split in their opinions as to whether or not the High Street should re-open as it was in the past, or whether Witney's High Street adapts.

In August at the Town Council, we offered the Corn Exchange to host open public meetings where residents are invited to have an open discussion and brain-storm ideas about how the High Street can be built fit for the future. I'm pleased that since August OCC have met with the Witney Chamber of Commerce, but disappointed that residents as a whole have not been engaged with.

I hope that the County Council will announce dates in the New Year so that we, residents in Witney can get together in an open forum to brainstorm ideas for the future of Witney High Street, so that Highway Planners can go back to their desks and draw up plans that we have had a say in.

In the meantime let's continue to celebrate businesses in our High Street - it is still a thriving High Street. Just in the last few weeks we have had three new bars open, how fantastic is that? Witney needs a booming nightlife, so I hope that this instills confidence in others to bring their businesses to the heart of Witney.

From independent eateries, clothes shops, butchers, estate agents and more, Witney's High Sreet still has life in it yet, but with nearly £2million waiting to be spent, there is still a lot of potential to be unlocked.

Until we have these public meetings, myself and my Conservative colleagues will continue to promote Witney business and will keep pressure on the Council to ensure that all of us can have a say in the future of Witney High Street.