THE decision to introduce a loading and waiting ban in Witney’s High Street, affecting disabled drivers, was a strange one.

The theory behind the move was that the ban would create a smoother traffic flow for buses and other vehicles.

That made perfect sense for traffic planners, but not for disabled drivers who wanted to park in the street. Not surprisingly they complained.

County councillors now appear to have had a change of heart and this is a U-turn that should be welcomed.

And with a rising demand for parking in the town centre, it certainly makes sense to review the way the off-street car parks are being used and make the best use of the spaces they offer.

One of the key decisions made following the review is designed to boost the turnover of shoppers, and has been welcomed by the Chamber of Commerce.

Making the maximum stay in the Woolgate car park three hours and switching nine-hour spaces to the Marriotts Walk multi-storey seems sensible.

Three hours is probably long enough to do some shopping and grab a bite to eat, and if people need to stay longer, a short walk to the heart of the town should not put them off.

But Witney is becoming increasingly popular as a shopping destination and these changes may not be enough to meet rising demand in the long run.

Free parking is clearly working in Witney, but the current parking system may not survive forever, with councillor David Harvey hinting that other measures may be needed in the future.