Give your views on Wantage Market Place improvements
Residents and visitors to Wantage are being asked for their feedback and ideas to improve the town centre and Market Place.
Oxfordshire County Council has today (24 June 2025) launched a four-week survey to capture people’s views and ideas.
Proposals are being made to enhance the area and improve accessibility, walking, wheeling and cycling. This follows a commitment by both Oxfordshire County Council and Wantage Town Council in 2024, to explore ways to make the Market Place more accessible and safer for residents and visitors.
Officers from the county council have been working with the local community to investigate how space could be redesigned to the make the town centre a better place to spend time for shopping, leisure or business.
Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “Our vision for Wantage Market Place is to create a vibrant, welcoming, and accessible space for everyone. We aim to enhance the historical charm of the market town while addressing the challenges of climate change. By improving opportunities for walking, wheeling, cycling, and using public transport, we hope to make the Market Place a healthier, friendlier and safer environment for all.
“The project is at an early stage and a design is yet to be developed. Tell us what you think and make suggestions to help us shape the project designs and goals. We would like to find out what is important to local residents and businesses and how we can make it economically and environmentally useful for future years.
“We’ll use what we learn, work with the community to develop a draft design, and come back to you for further consultation next year.”
People can take part in an online survey on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 22 July 2025.
The online survey will be supported by two drop-in events for members of the public to find out about the project and speak to the team in person:
- Saturday 5 July 2025 – 10am - 4pm
Vale & Downland Museum (Barn Gallery), 19 Church Street, OX12 8BL
- Wednesday 9 July 2025 – 5pm - 8pm
Wantage Methodist Church (Chapel area), 20 Newbury Street, OX12 8DA
A further public consultation on the draft design will take place in 2026, with construction expected once further funding is confirmed.
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