WORRIED traders who say the continued closure of a town high street is having a devastating effect on their businesses have launched a petition against it.
Of 37 shops who have signed it, 36 oppose the measures to restrict Witney's main road to buses, cycles, taxis and disabled badge holders only.
Market stall holder Darren Smith, who sells fruit and veg, said: “It totally halved my previous trade. It happened as soon as they did it. If it was a massive road I could understand it maybe. All the traders feel the same. It’s what people come here for – shopping.
“100 per cent it needs to go. We’re making it work but when people are carrying heavy bags of potatoes or carrots they want to be able to pull up near by and park.”
He said none of the other towns he visits have kept restrictions.
Deborah Warner, manager of Sandwich de Witney, said: “I have been here nearly 20 years and it’s dead, quite eerie. People used to come and get a coffee before work – it’s such a shame. The heart’s gone out of the town.”
Henry Mo, owner of Sandwich de Witney, started the petition.
He said: “36 out of 37 Witney shops, and growing, plus hundreds of shoppers signed in just a few days, opposing Witney High Street’s closure being made permanent.”
A public survey launched in June showed that the restrictions are supported by the majority of residents.
From a total of 1,346 responses, 60 per cent (808 people) felt safer with the restrictions and 26 per cent (351 people) did not.
Approximately 30 responses were from organisations or businesses.
Of these, 11 - none of whom were in the restricted part of the high street - were in favour of the measures being retained.
A further 10 businesses (eight on the restricted part) were opposed and saw them as a hindrance to their trade.
Richard Martin, director of The Witney Blanket Hall, said: “That traders have felt compelled to raise a petition about the high street signals a failure of both communication and joint intent.
"WODC, Town Council, and traders must re-establish their partnership as proud and enthusiastic champions of our High Street, or everyone will lose."
He added: "Once upon a time, everyone seemed to understand that towns need bustle, in fact it is what makes a town a town, and over-zealous town management, however well-intentioned, is likely to damage it.
“At the Blanket Hall, we believe that WODC should at once fully re-open the road, and then enter into negotiation with OCC to keep it open.
“People say that they like the tables and chairs outside bars and restaurants: we say that there is plenty of room for them, even with traffic on the road.”
Councillor Michele Mead, WODC Leader, said: "We have to consider the rising Covid-19 case rates nationally and in Oxfordshire and the continued safety of our residents the additional space provides.
"Residents were clear with us in their response to our survey, with 64 per cent of respondents saying that they feel the limits to traffic in the High Street should stay in place."
But she added: "We do recognise some of the concerns, particularly those raised by businesses who have had a very challenging period due to the impacts of the pandemic along with online competition on local shops.
"We want to work closely with them and others to consider a longer term solution which we hope will ultimately improve the High Street for both the businesses and those visiting them. We will also be continuing to support all our local businesses through schemes like the very successful LoyalFree app.
"This is a temporary arrangement and we will be working closely with the County Council on their longer term plans for the High Street. It will be important for local businesses and residents to engage over the coming months to develop a much more comprehensive strategy for improving Witney Town Centre and a more permanent solution to improving pedestrian space in the High Street.”
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