Oxfordshire town's businesses hit out at 'anti-car' plans

Witney Chamber of Commerce – a voice for the business community – has attacked council measures which it says have made conditions tougher for its members.

It comes as a new operator was announced for the market in the town which takes place every Thursday and Saturday. Cotswolds Markets has taken over the running of the market from West Oxfordshire District Council.

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Chamber of Commerce chairman, Richard Martin, said the announcement was tempered by problems elsewhere, such as plans to turn part of a central car park into housing and to alter the Market Square to favour pedestrians and cyclists.

“Probably employing a company to run the market is a better idea than doing it themselves," he said. “But it’s all in the context of the anti-car measures.”

Witney Market (Image: Duncan Enright)

He said market traders insisted they were bring hit hard by restrictions on private cars in the high street.

This policy came into force in 2021 with traffic cameras being set up to enforce the restrictions.

Mr Martin added: “The Chamber of Commerce did a survey. People like the market but they would rather be able to drive through it.”

However, overall, he said that the town was good for business with a main road nearby, plenty of coffee shops, car parks, no major shopping centre close and a big high street.

He added: “Most other markets would bite our hand off. We do not need to change much with the town at all."

One of the proposals that has most angered Mr Martin is the scheme to turn part of Woodford Way Car Park into housing.

Chairman of Witney Chamber of Commerce Richard Martin 

Liam Walker, head of the Oxfordshire Conservatives, set up a petition against the scheme which has more than 1,500 signatures.

Liam Walker (Image: WODC) He said he was “deeply concerned” about it although he welcomed Cotswolds Markets taking over Witney Market from the council.

On the other hand, Charlie Maynard, MP for Witney, has backed the Woodford Way scheme saying that using “council land” is an important way to build housing.

Charlie Maynard, Lib Dem MP for Witney (Image: Charlie Maynard) READ MORE: Costs spiral for 'disaster' Oxfordshire high street scheme

On the town centre, he said: “The district council is committed to ensuring it can grow and thrive, attracting new stall holders and customers and making it an all-round great place to visit and shop." 

Duncan Enright, WODC’s executive member for economic development (Image: WODC) Duncan Enright, the council's executive member for economic development, said that recent years had seen issues, but the local authority was doing all it could to help.

He said: “Internet shopping and the pandemic have made it harder for shops, pubs and cafes to thrive.

“We’re committed to helping the market grow in a sustainable way and we’re excited about what the future holds under this new partnership."