In the Summer of 2022, Oxfordshire County Council were allocated £1.9 million towards the future of Witney High Street. So far the Liberal, Labour and Green coalition have only installed some signs.
Since the original closure to private vehicles to help with social distancing for COVID-19, residents in Witney have been split in their opinions as to whether or not the High Street should be re-open as it was in the past, or whether Witney's High Street adapts. In August 2022 the Town Council offered the use of the Corn Exchange for public engagement events to discuss the future of the High Street, so far members of the public have not been engaged with.
We need a bottom-up approach to High Street planning, not planners living outside of the county bringing their thoughts from the top-down. I want all of us to be involved and have a say in the future of our High Street and my colleagues and I will continue to push for these public meetings. Until then, we will continue to promote Witney's businesses.
From independent eateries, pubs, clothes shops, butchers, estate agents and many more more, Witney's High Street has lots of life in it yet, but with nearly £2 million waiting to be spent, there is still a lot of potential to be unlocked.
Residents across Witney are dismayed that their views in consultations are being ignored - you can count on us to push the colourful coalition in county hall to hold these public engagement events so that you can have your say.
Cllr Thomas Ashby - Witney West ward
