An Oxfordshire town centre revamp could stretch across the entire summer season if councilors give the green light to building proposals.

The timetable for the Witney High Street and Market Square overhaul is scheduled for consideration by Oxfordshire County Council on Thursday, 26 March.

Should councillors approve the plans, the improvements focusing on pedestrian and cycling facilities plus road safety measures would commence in early May.

Additional features include extra trees, additional seating, better pavement surfaces and an automatic number plate recognition camera.

A county council representative stated that the scheme would establish a more inviting public space designed to draw greater numbers of visitors.

The authority expects the project to run for 26 weeks, finishing before the onset of winter.

However, this commencement date lags behind even more recent proposals that had construction starting in early 2026 and concluding during summer.

Thomas Ashby from Witney Town Council has condemned the timing of the works as ill-advised.

The Conservative member remarked that carrying out building work throughout the summer would place substantial obstacles in the path of hospitality businesses reliant on outdoor trading during warmer weather.

He pointed out that between the impact on customer-facing operations and the choice to convert sections of Woolgate Car Park into a construction compound, there had clearly been insufficient consultation and planning.

Councillor Andrew Coles also expressed dissatisfaction and described himself as extremely aggrieved by the postponements, though he acknowledged the cause was financial.

The scheme’s funding now substantially exceeds the £1.98m provided by Active Travel England, with the revised allocation standing at £4.4m.

The council explained this would enable delivery of additional elements requested by residents while accounting for rising material and labour expenses.

Mr Coles remained positive about the overall plans.

The Labour member declared that the improvements would definitely provide advantages for Witney and for town centre residents alongside all visitors arriving to shop and explore.

He emphasized that completion prior to the pre-Christmas shopping season was vital.

Despite his support, the scheme has faced opposition.

Adrian Bullock, head of the Witney and District Chamber of Commerce, raised serious objections regarding expense, objectives and effects on vehicle movement.

He warned that deliveries blocking traffic were probable and that the proposal for multiple single-lane sections would generate congestion throughout the route.

His suggested improvement would be implementing a small number of 15-minute parking bays, enabling regular vehicles to access the high street.

He continued that although the group felt the high street merited different treatment, Witney nonetheless remains an excellent destination for visiting, shopping, discovering, dining and unwinding.