Businesses have expressed further anger over looming traffic restrictions on Witney High Street, with the decision on whether they stay imminent.

The decision will be made by council leader Liz Leffman at an Oxfordshire County Council meeting on Thursday.

The cabinet member for highways management is recommended to approve the closure of the upper part of the High Street and Market Place to motor vehicles, with exemptions applying to buses, taxis, vehicles loading or unloading and those displaying a valid blue badge.

Independent shops spokesman Henry Mo – who has set up a petition against measures signed by 36 out of 37 High Street businesses and more than 1,000 shoppers – told a Town Council meeting business was down 40 per cent and customers’ pick up points and loading bays needed to be restored. 

He said: “The 40 per cent decline in trade is partly due to Covid, but the restriction plays a major part. Now that wintry weather is here, there is a much more desperate need for access and customers pick up points nearby.

“Even shop owners and suppliers are receiving a penalty fine for loading. When traffic wardens are asked ‘What are we supposed to do’, one said, ‘Keep driving around’ and another one said ‘Park in the middle of the road, so that we can’t issue you a fine’.

"That’s what is happening now; cars and vans are driving around until there are no traffic wardens about, then loading up quickly.

"As far as our daily conversation goes, whether it is with the general public or with councillors, those who are for the High Street restrictions can only say, ‘Oh, we prefer a quieter and safer street’, whereas those people who oppose the restriction can give plenty reasons as to why."

Mr Mo, who owns Sandwich de Witney, said he hoped Oxfordshire County Council, the highways authority, would give 'more thought to the overall plan for the whole Witney rather than just focus on Witney High Street.'

He added: "At the moment, the market square is pedestrianised, Woolgate is pedestrianised, Marriotts Walk is pedestrianised. Both sides of this upper High Street have really wide pavements; why further restrict or pedestrianise a main road?

"The only time it is perhaps worth considering a traffic restriction is Saturday, 11am to 4pm, as most other times are quiet." 

In response, Witney Town Council, which is a consultee in the process, said it supported the measures but wanted more effective communication around the scheme and effective and simple road markings and signage.

They said loading and unloading must be made easier through parking areas being shared between taxi bays, disabled parking and loading for traders along this stretch.

The council also said there was a potential for conflict between road users and pedestrians around the roundabout and the planters were not helping.

It said: "The roundabout does not function properly – opening both lanes for use by permitted traffic and restricting, via signage and a change of road surface colouring, may be less hazardous for entering the High Street and preventing gridlock and conflict on the roundabout."

The town council supported changing the 30-minute parking bays to three-hour disabled parking places, but not the road markings as the proposals stand. It said the disabled parking was not ideal, as spaces were against a wall. 

"Further thought needs to be given as to whether the spaces could be larger, have hatching all around or be slanted for ease of access," it said.

"As part of a wider aspiration, the town council would like to see a larger town centre development plan coming forward," it added. "The council requests that Market Square is made easier to close off for community use at the request of any council."