Windrush Place Paths Update
- Mar 24
- 3 min read
For years, I have been campaigning for the two crossings on the Deer Park Road to be constructed. If you have been a resident for several years, or just a short period of time, you will see this.
That’s why I am incredibly angry and upset. Oxfordshire County Council have severely let us down!
There is now yet ANOTHER delay.
Over the last 18 months, I had been repeatedly told that the planning / construction should commence by the end of the financial year. That financial year ends on Tuesday 31st March. There hasn’t been a public consultation, nor is there a spade in the ground.
The reason why Oxfordshire County Council explain that they haven’t been able to progress this as they would have liked to me…. Insurance, liability and procurement issues! As a Public Procurement Professional by day, this stuns me. The fact that the Council has dithered and delayed, argued over what the correct route to procure a highways provider is, and continues to argue the toss regarding liabilities, absolutely staggers me - it makes me angry.
There isn't an excuse - the County Council need to do better.
This means that it is incredibly unlikely that we are not going to see any public consultation until late summer / autumn and construction in the winter.
This isn’t right.
Our crossings will make accessing the rest of Witney by foot and bicycle so much safer for everyone. It will provide parents with the confidence that they can send their child to school, rather than having to give them a lift by car. It will ensure anyone and everyone has safe access across the Deer Park Road, and ultimately ‘finishing off’ the missing link between West Witney and the rest of Town.
I WANT AN APOLOGY
I am seeking an official apology from Oxfordshire County Council. This scheme would positively impact the lives of so many, and has been fully-funded for several years. This scheme was first talked about 7 years ago, by Council Officers - 7 years on, we have been neglected, forgotten and let-down.
The County Council are sat on the developer funding for this, as well as nearly £300million in unspent developer funds across Oxfordshire! Is there a lack of will to take action and get things done, or is red-tape / bureaucracy getting in Project Manager's way?
That’s why I am seeking a formal apology & an explanation and timescale as to when works will commence.
COLWELL BROOK PATH, LINKING TO OLLEY CRESCENT
As compensation, I have sought that the project to complete the path from Olley Crescent to Range Road and improved paving along the Colwell Brook to Downs Road be accelerated. I asked this question to the Cabinet Member for Highways Management. His response was:
It can be confirmed that the project related to path improvements between Downs Road and Book End, Witney (Route 34 in the Witney LCWIP) has recently been passed to the Delivery Team, as part of the S106 Accelerated Delivery programme. In order to develop the proposals, and to ensure they fit with local requirements, the team will now arrange a site meeting with Cllr Ashby to walk and talk the route and inform the progression of design and development of a works programme, including any formal consultations that may be required. As of January 2026, not all developer funds secured for the project have been received by the county council. Any programme of works will be subject to all developer funding being held by the county council.
I am looking forward to meeting with Officers to discuss this proposal in further detail and walk the route with them. I am hoping that when they’re on the ground with me, they will be able to fully understand the mobility issues we face here on Windrush Place and Colwell Green.
I’m Working for you All Year Round
Whilst this is an incredibly frustrating update to write, I am always working for you all year round. So please, if you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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