Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and infrastructure has robustly defended proposals to revamp Witney town centre, following mounting concerns about escalating costs and alterations to planned environmental improvements.
Liz Leffman, the senior councillor overseeing the £4.4 million transformation, maintained that the town centre would remain an attractive destination once construction concludes.
Questions have intensified in recent weeks after it became apparent that several elements originally included in the scheme, such as trees and raised flower beds, would not be delivered as initially proposed.
Representatives from the local business community have expressed doubts about whether months of inconvenience for traders and shoppers could be justified if key visual enhancements are reduced in scope.
During a radio interview, Leffman acknowledged that confusion had arisen from a series of misunderstandings and unclear communication regarding the project.
She emphasised that the fundamental objective of establishing a greener and more inviting town centre had not shifted.
According to Leffman, the project was conceived with the intention of enhancing the visual appeal of the entire town centre, introducing additional vegetation, and creating a more comfortable environment for visitors to shop, socialise and relax with refreshments.
She stated that these goals continue to underpin the scheme.
Regarding the number of trees specified in the plans, Leffman explained that underground service infrastructure had prevented certain trees from being positioned where originally intended, as root systems would be unable to develop properly given the available space beneath the pavement.
She indicated that alternative locations throughout the wider area would accommodate additional planting, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing outcome.
The initiative’s budget has expanded from an initial estimate of £1.9 million to the current figure of £4.4 million, supported by supplementary central government financing secured after consultation responses indicated public appetite for a more comprehensive scheme.
The councillor appealed for patience until the work reaches completion ahead of the festive lighting period, acknowledging the significant disruption experienced while expressing confidence that the finished result would prove worthwhile.
Leffman noted that some lower-height planting containers initially suggested were eliminated following consultation, as community members raised concerns about potential trip hazards.
She added that replacement planting arrangements were being finalised in collaboration with Witney Town Council.
She also highlighted the necessity of drainage improvements being undertaken concurrently with the town centre works, noting that such infrastructure work would have been required regardless but was being integrated to prevent future excavation of the completed scheme.