WORK to regenerate Bicester’s Market Square could start next year after three proposals for a £1m facelift were unveiled.

Residents will get a chance to have their say on the options at a public consultation due to be held in November.

The project is a joint initiative between Cherwell district and Oxfordshire county councils. which are pumping £250,000 and £750,000 respectively into the scheme.

It comes four years after three schemes – two similar to the latest proposals – were dropped.

Each option would include new paving and crossing points, street furniture, public art and landscaping, but the development would see parking spaces lost costing Cherwell up to £80,000 in revenue a year.

At the moment there are 48 parking spaces, including 13 free short-stay, and nine taxi spaces in Market Square and Market Hill.

The first option would leave the road layout the same, but a total of 12 parking spaces and three taxi-rank spaces would also be lost.

In option two, two-way traffic could be introduced on the south side of the square, with the north side being pedestrianised and a small public space created.

A total of eight parking spots would be lost, along with five taxi spaces.

The third option tabled also proposes two-way traffic on the south side of the square, but all parking would be moved to Market Hill, where 26 spaces would be provided, including four taxi spaces.

That option would also include a large pedestrianised public space linking Sheep Street and Crown Walk, and an area for loading and unloading.

No dates have been set for the exhibitions and the district council was yesterday unable to release drawings to illustrate each proposal.

Norman Bolster, Cherwell District Council’s executive member for economic development and estates, said: “This is more good news for Bicester.

“It’s important that Market Square is improved to take account of the changes happening in Bicester, now and in the near future.

“While these improvements are totally separate from the town centre redevelopment, we need to make sure they take account of traffic flow, parking and people’s expectations. In short, that they make sure Market Square continues to be an important part of 21st-century Bicester.

“This consultation is aimed at making sure we, and the county council, get it right.”

However, trader Lynn Wright, of Bicester Bed Centre, said: “It’s absolutely ridiculous.

“I think there’s enough pedestrianisation in Bicester. You need the buzz of the traffic in Market Square.”

She raised concerns about shops on the north side of the square and Crown Walk making or receiving deliveries.

David Wadley, of audio-visual company Wadley’s, welcomed plans to enhance the square, but said traffic should not be forced out.

Work could start as early as next year if a preferred option is chosen after the autumn consultation.

bicester@oxfordmail.co.uk