At present, two-thirds of vehicles passing through the Market Place are through traffic, rather than visitors to the town centre. The bus gate, which will allow passage by buses, blue badge holders, taxis and cyclists, aims to divert traffic onto more suitable roads, with the A417 recently upgraded.
Oxfordshire County Council says it will “protect frontline services as far as we can” in the face of declining Government funding. The Government’s Fair Funding Review, positioned as supporting “red wall” areas, is leading to reduced funding for rural southern counties like Oxfordshire.
The town centre faces competition from the shops being delivered as part of the 6,000-home NW Bicester Eco-Town development, as well as edge-of-town destination retail at Bicester Village and Bicester Avenue. Cherwell says “growth on the edge must reinforce rather than compete with the centre”.
Plans to reclaim Wantage Market Place from its current role as a car park have been published for comments today. The proposed layout replaces the car park with a flexible space for markets and events, with a ‘bus gate’ preventing through car traffic from Mill Street, and new bus stops.
For OCC, Cllr Dan Levy said: “We recognise there are areas with higher levels of deprivation, and it is right that they receive support. However, it is disappointing that councils like Oxfordshire will see real terms reductions in grant funding: it leaves us more exposed when extra pressures arise.”
Oxford Clarion
Bicester town centre is in danger of “evolving in a fragmented and reactive way” and may not “adapt to meet the needs of a growing population”, says Cherwell District Council. The council is commissioning a town centre masterplan to consider the way forward as the town expands with new housing.
Several Oxfordshire market towns have struggled to adapt to the changing retail landscape in recent years, with councils buying up struggling shopping malls (Castle Quay in Banbury and Marriott’s Walk in Witney), and modest streetscape plans in Witney and Bicester being fiercely contested.
Oxford Clarion
2027-28 is expected to be the first ‘crunch’ year. The budget-setting process begins in July, with proposals to reduce council expenditure and make savings published this autumn and winter. news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/further-budg...
Oxford Clarion
Oxford Clarion
Oxfordshire County Council says “The proposal puts people and pedestrians first… it draws upon success stories from other English market towns.” They point out there are five car parks within a few minutes’ walk. Construction could start in 2028. letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wantage-mark...
A young Oxfordshire chef has been crowned Student Chef of the Year. Josh Zitha, who studies at Banbury & Bicester College, won a challenge to produce a three-course menu in two hours including a vegetarian starter and a fish main course. www.experienceoxfordshire.org/banbury-and-...
