Witney High Street wooden planters return faces criticism

Planters on Witney High Street were replaced by temporary buildouts in November in an attempt to make the junction safer for pedestrians but their unexpected return has led to concern that the £15,000 scheme is not working.

This comes amid a ban on private vehicles on Witney High Street which was implemented as part of a trial during the coronavirus pandemic in summer 2020 but then made permanent in December 2021.

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Conservative town councillor David Edwards-Hughes, of the Burwell Ward, said: "We are all left scratching our heads as to why the county council has spent this money only to then have the wooden planters still in place.

Councillor David Edwards-Hughes. (Image: Witney Town Council.)

"A lot of residents I have spoken with have said that when the planters were removed more people were cutting through the High Street.

"We have previously been able to see the number of vehicles that have driven through town but rather conveniently the traffic monitor is currently out of action.”

A council spokesman responded: "Oxfordshire County Council is currently planning to remove the planters at Witney High Street and Market Square.

"A short-term live traffic monitoring system was in place initially and the council will continue to monitor traffic over the coming months using traditional methods of monitoring.

"Monitoring will help inform future changes to the Witney High Street and Market Square enhancements project."

Witney Conservatives said the majority of respondents to a public engagement exercise opposed plans to ban private vehicles from the High Street in 2020 with 36 out of 37 local traders objecting.

It had been announced in November that the wooden planters were to be removed. (Image: Witney Conservatives.)

A draft design is being developed for Witney High Street and Market Square which the council will invite people to review in the spring.

The county council spokesman added: "In addition to celebrating the town’s heritage, the improvements will help to improve the look and feel of Witney for visitors and for those arriving by walking, cycling or public transport.

"The enhancements will prioritise a key space for people to enjoy shopping and socialising, making it better to walk, wheel or cycle around – and support the town’s great local businesses."

Oxfordshire County Council announced last year it had been awarded £1.98 million from the Government’s Active Travel Fund to make improvements to the High Street.