Row over high street restrictions on cars

Some shops say they are losing customers because of traffic restrictions aimed at improving pedestrian safety and that stop motorists from driving down their high street.

Oxfordshire County Council closed Witney Market Square to cars during a Covid lockdown in 2021 to widen pavements, and it is now planning to install cameras next summer to improve enforcement of the restrictions.

This has been supported by the town council and road safety campaigners but has prompted frustration from some shopkeepers who say the changes have already impacted their businesses.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said pedestrianised high streets were "a very successful and attractive feature of many market towns".

"It prioritises space where people can enjoy shopping and socialising," the authority added.

But Henry Mo, who owns Sandwich De Witney, said the restrictions needed to be lifted because they had led to him losing "30-40%" of his customers.

"Working people travelling through every day were our regular customers and we lost most of them," he said.

Mr Mo said he was not alone and that many other business owners wanted the restrictions lifted too.

"We did a survey ourselves and 36 out of the 37 in this stretch of the high street all want it reopened," he said.

Mustafa Dibek, who owns a fish and chip shop, said: "It's had a huge effect and at lunchtime we used to get all the builders or people picking up food… we lost that."

Some drivers ignore the traffic restrictions - a reason why the council wants to install ANPR cameras.

Talking about the impact the cameras would have, Mr Dibek said: "That's going to kill the town completely to be honest."

Richard Martin, chairman of Witney Chamber of Commerce, said: "Because cars can't come up the high street, it means people don't see the town.

"We have conducted several surveys and I can tell you that consistently traders have said that its affected their trade and they would like to see the road unrestricted again."

David Doors lives in a neighbouring town and told BBC Radio Oxford that the road restrictions put him and his disabled partner off coming into Witney.

And Phil, who lives in Witney, added: "I'd like to see the high street thrive again and it doesn't thrive under this system… there was never really any problem before."

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson said: "People can still drive to the town centre - there are over 1,700 free (no charge) car parking spaces very close to the High Street and Market Square, and good bus connections coming right into the centre.

"Pedestrian footfall makes a valuable contribution to local businesses.

"A welcoming environment to freely walk around in, visit shops and grab a bite to eat, is a vital part of the shopping experience.

"Further improvements – including better and more accessible footways, improved bus stands, planting and seating are scheduled to be delivered next year."

Clarification 30 December: This article's original headline referred to "lockdown road restrictions" and the headline and introduction have been amended to make clear that while these restrictions were implemented during Covid lockdown in 2021, the wider aims include improving pedestrian safety and the overall benefits continue to be disputed, including by some business owners.