TRADERS on Witney High Street have attacked a divisive traffic ban with one business owner saying he may have to leave due to plummeting takings.

Henry Mo, owner of Sandwich de Witney, which has served customers for 24 years, has had to lose staff after his business dropped by 40 per cent. 

He said: "The thought of moving had never cross our mind before but we need to keep our eyes open, as at least 50 per cent of our regular customers come from outside the town centre, and a lot of them said they have no access to this upper High Street. 

"We are exploring with our regular customers, working people mostly, to see if there are better positioned premises so they can get to us easier."

Other traders have shared their frustration. Market trader Darren Smith said shoppers carrying heavy bags of potatoes or carrots wanted to be able to pull up near by and park and initially his business dropped by half.

Johnny Rideout from Baker's Butchers said "the whole thing seems one big negative".

"Everyone is saying that their turnover has dropped. That in itself is a negative. We have lost early morning trade, where people would park in a High Street short stay and nip in on a regular daily basis. I know there is parking at Waitrose car park and behind Lloyds bank, but these people just do not use it. Maybe it’s a time issue?"

He added: "From an environmental point of view, it hasn’t reduced the traffic, it’s just rerouted it around Witan Way, which has caused a lot more congestion at peak times. Because of this, in rush hour it’s a nightmare trying to get out of the car park into the flow of traffic.

Kim Cook and Debbie and Eleanor Hackett, of The Shake Shop, said they had signed Mr Mo's petition against the closure, saying: "Most people we speak to are in support of it re-opening". 

Over 1,000 people responded to a county council consultation on the restrictions, with 50 per cent objecting, a further 10 per cent having concerns and 39 per cent supporting the closure.

Traders accused the county council of not listening.    

Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “These measures are in line with our aims to create a transport network that makes active travel – walking and cycling – the first choice for short journeys, encourage public transport, and reduce reliance on car journeys.

“There are a large number of free car parking spaces behind High Street so this measure should not impact significantly on businesses in the area. Indeed, there is growing evidence to suggest that cycle and pedestrian-friendly streets can boost footfall and retail sales, helping to revive traditional high streets and town centres by creating more pleasant conditions.

“Both Cornmarket Street in Oxford and Sheep Street in Bicester used to be full of vehicles, and I doubt anyone would suggest a return to that situation now that they are both pedestrianised. I’m sure that these changes in Witney will be just as popular, although we will monitor the situation to see if any amendments are required in the future.”

]Meanwhile West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxfordshire County Council and Witney Town Council are working together on longer term plans for the town centre.
Design work is under way to remove the planters and replace them with signs to show where the restriction begins. 

With developer contributions, the road will be narrowed and the pedestrian space widened.

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The county council will look at improving the accessibility of the blue badge parking bays, and providing dedicated areas for loading and unloading. A consultation is expected to start in spring and if objections are received, a formal decision will be required by Mr Bearder.

The bays are expected to be ready in late spring 2022. 

At the request of Stagecoach the council is looking at installing a new bus stop between Wesley Walk and Poundland to make this part of High Street more accessible. 

The council is planning to introduce enforcement ANPR cameras from April 2022.