Residents and visitors to Wantage are being asked for their feedback on design proposals to improve the town centre and Market Place.

On Wednesday 10 June 2026, Oxfordshire County Council will launch a four-week survey to hear people’s views on the draft designs.

The design proposals have been developed following last year’s community engagement with local residents, businesses and councillors to help shape a vision to enhance Wantage Market Place, while improving walking, wheeling and cycling.

Officers from the county council have since been working with the local community to explore how space could be redesigned to the make the town centre a better place to spend time for shopping, leisure or business. There is also a key desire to support business by improving loading facilities. 

Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “It was wonderful that we received such a wealth of feedback and inspiration from so many people last year. I am delighted to see how this has been realised in a draft design to support better active travel opportunities and create a vibrant, welcoming, and accessible town centre in Wantage, which is safer for residents and visitors.

"We want this plan to truly reflect local community needs and ideas, as well as support an increase in the size of the market and enable more community events.

“I am very much looking forward to hearing how people find the designs and what adjustments can be made. We are working hard to make sure the final designs are not only practical but also accessible for everyone.”

From 12 noon on Wednesday 10 June 2026, people can take part in an online survey on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The consultation will close at 11.59pm on Wednesday 8 July 2026.

The online survey will also 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 13 June 2026 – 10am - 4pm at The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BX
• Tuesday 16 June 2026 – 5pm - 8pm at The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BX

Feedback will help to identify any possible amendments that should be incorporated into the final design. The improvements will be delivered in two phases – construction on the West End is expected to begin in Autumn 2027, while the Market Place construction is anticipated to start once funding has been secured.

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Quiet lanes are designated roads where motor traffic is restricted to make it safer for people to walk, wheel, cycle, wheel and horse ride. By removing through traffic, quiet lanes can reduce vehicle numbers and speeds, lower the risk and severity of collisions, and make minor roads feel calmer and safer. Access is maintained for residents, farmers, businesses and emergency services.

Picture: Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Tim Bearder on Shepherd's Pit Lane

Several quiet lanes already exist in Oxfordshire, and the new approach in Oxfordshire is an enhancement to existing Department for Transport policy, going beyond traditional signage-based lanes to achieve the safest outcomes.

New lanes will only be introduced where there is strong local support, including from parish and county councillors, for the measure and a suitable alternative route for motor traffic.

Councillor Rebekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Quiet lanes are about making sure local roads work for the communities that live there, not as cut-throughs for traffic they were never designed to carry. 

“This new approach will help us to prioritise walking, wheeling, cycling and horse riding, and give us a clear and consistent way to provide quiet lanes where there is strong local support. We will use evidence to make sure schemes are safe, effective and sensitive to their surroundings. By piloting schemes first, we can get them right before any permanent decisions are made.

“I look forward to working with parish and town councils and local councillors on this locally led and innovative programme.”

Oxfordshire’s new quiet lanes will prioritise physical measures supported by reduced speed limits, typically to 20mph.

All new schemes in the pilot will include:

• physical measures to prohibit through traffic, such as gates and bollards
• quiet lane signage
• speed limit changes

Overall journey times for drivers are usually only slightly affected because suitable alternative routes must be available.

The council will now work with parish and town councils and local councillors to identify and pilot new sites.

Each scheme will be subject to statutory consultation, which will allow measures to be tested in practice, evidence to be collected and designs refined before any permanent decisions are made.

More information

• The term “quiet lane” is often used to describe a road where signage alone indicates suitability for walking, wheeling and cycling. However, evidence shows that sign only approaches do not reliably reduce traffic volumes or speeds. For more information visit TRL's website.
• Quiet lanes also connect bridleways with public rights of way, benefitting horse riders.
• All newly proposed quiet lanes schemes will be assessed using a standard countywide framework considering safety, traffic levels, availability of alternative routes, environmental benefits and community support.
• Pilot schemes will be delivered using experimental traffic regulation orders (ETROs) and will be subject to statutory consultation.
• The quiet lanes programme is funded through a county council capital allocation.
• The council will invite parish and town councils and local county councillors to express an interest in the scheme and identify any suitable local routes.

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Oxfordshire County Council has topped the south-east local authority active travel ratings. The council has been announced as an active travel level three in the government’s 2025 ratings. It is one of nine local authorities across England, and two in the south-east to increase its rating this year. The grading by Active Travel England indicates strong local leadership and support, with a substantial active travel network for walking, wheeling and cycling in place.

As part of this grading, Oxfordshire will benefit from an increase in funding to spend on projects to improve pedestrian/mobility-aided and cycling infrastructure and opportunities. The total funding awarded over a four-year period from 2026 will now be more than £20 million.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This is absolutely brilliant news. It marks clear recognition of our efforts to deliver on an effective long-term network that connects people’s opportunities within the county not only for easier walking, wheeling and cycling, but also for better bus and rail travel.

“A crucial part of securing this rating is that local people are choosing active travel options that work for them. I am exceptionally proud of our county and steps we’ve taken to incorporate more activity into everyday life.

“The funding awarded is a significant investment into making Oxfordshire greener, fairer and healthier – enabling us to improve people’s travel choices and create a healthier, more accessible and attractive county. Opening the door to new businesses and jobs, economic success and increased opportunities.”

The government active travel capability ratings are graded from zero to four, helping councils to better visualise and work towards delivering excellent sustainable transport networks across the country. A key requirement is that they provide safe, high-quality walking, wheeling and cycling support. Together, this helps the UK to achieve its objectives for 50 per cent of all local journeys in towns and cities to be walked, wheeled or cycled by 2030.

In the announcement letter received by the county council from the government, Active Travel England assessors were impressed with the quality of the submission and recognised work by the council to improve provision in Oxfordshire. Like many local authorities in the country, the county council was previously graded at a level two – showing visible local leadership and support, with emerging network delivery.

Achieving this recognition supports the county council’s  strategic plan 2025 - 28. In particular it will contribute towards the county’s targets to create better spaces for residents and visitors in town centres and work with transport partners towards a countywide integrated rail and bus offer.

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Notes

• Local authorities are given a rating between 0-4 (with 4 being the highest level). A breakdown of each rating can be found below:
  • Level 0 – Local leadership and organisational capability for active travel is not obvious, no significant plans are in place, and the authority has delivered only lower complexity schemes.
  • Level 1 – Some local leadership and organisational capability with basic plans and isolated schemes that do not yet form a plan for a coherent network.
  • Level 2 – Strong local leadership and organisational capability, with clear plans that form the basis of an emerging network with a few elements already in place.
  • Level 3 – Very strong local leadership and organisational capability, comprehensive plans, and a significant network in place with a growing number of people choosing to walk, wheel and cycle.
  • Level 4 – Established culture of active travel with successive increases in walking, wheeling and cycling, underpinned by a dense integrated network in place and highly supportive policies to give more people the choice to walk, wheel or cycle.
• Measures in Oxfordshire’s strategic plan 2025 - 28 set out how the county council will achieve a greener, fairer and healthier county. This is complemented by the central Oxfordshire travel plan and the council’s local transport and connectivity plan.

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Feedback can be provided through a survey open on the council’s digital consultation and engagement platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire until 7 January 2026. 

The draft LCWIP, which aims to improve walking, wheeling and cycling around the town, has been prepared using feedback gathered from residents, workers and visitors using a map and pin exercise, which took place earlier this year, extensive engagement with a steering group of local members and a comprehensive review of background information.

The input was used to set out proposed improvements for local walking, wheeling and cycling routes over the next 10 years. The draft plan focuses on the connection of cycling and walking routes in Wallingford, improving accessibility within the town and connections with Benson, Cholsey, Crowmarsh Gifford, Preston Crowmarsh, Ewelme, Shillingford, Warborough and Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We know the importance, and the value of making our travel more sustainable. We also know how crucial it is that we make the conditions right to allow people to make more sustainable travel choices when they have the opportunity to do so.

“Improving the routes in Wallingford and surrounding areas will enable more people to use alternatives to the car or public transport to make our roads safer and our environment healthier. This plan has been drafted using valuable insights that people have taken the time to share with us and it is now our intention to take those changes forward and make these routes the best we can.

“I encourage people to look carefully at the plan and share their impressions with us, including whether the most important walking, wheeling and cycling routes and improvements have been identified and what we can do to make the plan better.”

Feedback will be used to amend the plan. The final version will be presented to the lead cabinet member in Spring 2026 for a decision on if this can be formally adopted as council policy. If adopted, this will support future funding bids to improve walking and cycling in the Wallingford area.

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People living in, working in and visiting Abingdon are invited to share their feedback on proposals to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and easier along the town’s East St Helen Street, in a survey open until 28 October.

Oxfordshire County Council has drafted the proposals working with local groups including UK active travel charity Sustrans. The proposals will create safer routes for walking, wheeling and cycling across the area, including facilitating two-way cycling along East St Helen Street.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “As well as providing essential safety improvements for people traveling around Abingdon, this work would connect a missing link in a major national cycle route between the Thames Valley and Wales.

“We need to reduce the number of cars on the road in Oxfordshire, and projects like this one enable healthier, more connected, and more accessible journeys. We want walking, cycling and public transport to work for more people, becoming a natural first choice.

“I encourage people to take a look at our plans and share their thoughts to help us finalise a design that works for residents.”

The plan includes improved cycling facilities on East St Helen Street and new pedestrian crossing facilities on the High Street, Bridge Street and Stert Street.

The scheme proposes:

• Two parallel cycle and pedestrian zebra crossings for the National Cycle Network 5 (NCN5) route between Abbey Close and East St Helen Street. ​
• Provision for contraflow cycling allowing travel in both directions for cyclists on East St Helen Street.
• Two zebra crossings on High Street and Bridge Street.
• Raised tables to prioritise safer walking, wheeling and cycling at the junction between East St Helen Street and Lombard Street.
• Continuous footway providing step-free crossing for pedestrians and slow-turning vehicles.
• New crossings on East St Helen Street and West St Helen Street.
• Planting and cycle parking where possible.

The location has been identified as a priority in the Abingdon Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

A survey is available on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire for people to share their feedback on the plan. The survey closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 28 October 2025.

There will be two drop-in events to view the information and chat to project officers, at Abingdon Guildhall on 11 October from 10am to 3pm and 14 October from 4pm to 7pm.

A report summarising the proposal and feedback from the survey will be presented to the county council’s cabinet member for Transport on whether to proceed at a meeting later this year. If approved, construction of the improvements would start in spring 2026. 

Notes

• The survey is available at: oxfordshire.gov.uk/eaststhelenstreet. 
  Paper copies of the survey can be requested by email to ncn5-cycleroute@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by calling the county council’s customer services team. Residents who wish to write to the council should address their envelope with Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL as one line in the middle with ‘Abingdon East St Helen St’ written in the top left corner.
• The drop-in events are open to everyone, with no need to book. Information materials shared at the events will also be published online, on Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The events will be held on:
  • Saturday 11 October 2025 from 10am - 3pm in the Old Magistrates’ Court Room, Guildhall, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JD;
  • and on Tuesday 14 October 2025 from 4pm - 7pm  in the Roysse Room, Guildhall, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JD.
• The scheme is funded by a UK Government active travel grant of £1,473,679.
• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.

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Oxfordshire residents, employees, businesses and visitors can view and comment on a draft local cycling and walking infrastructure plan for Eynsham and surrounding villages, incorporating ideas from public feedback.

Earlier this year, Oxfordshire County Council invited people to share their thoughts on issues with the existing walking and cycling provision in Eynsham and the surrounding area, and suggestions for how this could be improved. A draft plan, setting out proposed improvements for local walking and cycling routes over the next 10 years, is now available for comment until 27 October.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We know the importance, and the value of more active daily journeys for wellbeing. We also know how crucial it is that we make the conditions right to allow people the opportunity to make more active travel choices, if they can.

“In June, we asked people to let us know where their day-to-day trips could be improved by making some changes like a wider pavement, a level pathway or a better crossing point.

“These changes, however small, can join up a really effective travel network that we can all benefit from and enjoy, and help more people feel the benefit of daily activity. We are pleased to share the plan resulting from that feedback and look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.”

The plan focuses on positive changes for the village’s walking and cycling network over the next ten years, improving accessibility within Eynsham and connections with the surrounding area. This includes Begbroke, Botley, Cassington, Church Hanborough, Farmoor, Freeland, Long Hanborough, South Leigh, Stanton Harcourt, Swinford and Yarnton.

It also includes plans to link with the planned developments for Salt Cross Garden Village and West Eynsham. A survey is available on the council’s Let’s talk Oxfordshire platform until 27 October 2025.

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Notes to editors

• Paper copies of the survey can be requested by email placeplanningnorth@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by calling the county council’s customer services team. Residents who wish to write to the council should address their envelope with Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL as one line in the middle with ‘Eynsham LCWIP’ written in the top left corner.
• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.
• Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIP) are designed to:
  • identify cycling and walking infrastructure improvements for future investment in the short, medium and long term;
  • ensure that consideration is given to cycling and walking within local planning and transport policies and strategies; and
  • make a case for future funding for walking and cycling infrastructure.

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The Oxfordshire County Council LCWIP, which aims to improve walking, wheeling and cycling around the town, has been developed using feedback gathered last year from residents, workers and visitors using a ‘map and pin’ exercise.

Their input was used to set out proposed improvements for local walking and cycling routes over the next 10 years. As well as focusing on the connection of cycling and walking routes in Wantage, the LCWIP looks at a wider area including Grove and East Challow.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Improving the routes in Wantage and surrounding areas will enable more people to use alternatives to the car or public transport to make our roads safer and our environment healthier. This plan has been drafted using valuable insights that people have taken the time to share with us and it is now our intention to take those changes forward and make these routes the best we can.

“I encourage people to look carefully at the plan and share their impressions with us, including whether the most important walking and cycling routes and improvements have been identified and what we can do to make the plan better.”

Feedback will be used to amend the plan. The final version will presented to the lead cabinet member towards the end of this year/early 2026 for a decision on if this can be formally adopted as council policy. This will support funding bids to improve walking and cycling in Wantage and the surrounding area.

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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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Residents and people who travel around Woodstock are being asked to help shape a draft plan to make walking, wheeling and cycling easier, safer and more enjoyable around the town.

Oxfordshire County Council is asking for views about what highway improvements are needed to provide Woodstock and neighbouring parishes with a high-quality active travel network. Improvements could include better cycleways or added pedestrian crossings to make it easier to access and move around the town.

People can view the draft plan and area maps, and have their say on Let’s talk Oxfordshire, the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform until 5 March 2025.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We want to make it easier for people to choose walking, wheeling or cycling for more local journeys. Active travel as part of our daily lives can be a way to save money, keep healthy, feel well and improve air quality. It’s a win on so many levels.

“Valuable local feedback will help us identify the best solutions for Woodstock – with safe, convenient, and well-connected walking, wheeling and cycling networks for people of all abilities, ages and backgrounds, connecting them to where they want to go.”

The draft Woodstock and surrounding areas local cycling, walking and infrastructure plan (LCWIP) has been developed together with local partners. It proposes a joined-up network for active travel that links the places people need to visit regularly – including schools, shops, places of work and medical centres.

It aims to help make walking, wheeling and cycling an easy everyday choice for short journeys around the town or combined with using public transport for longer journeys. This will support a thriving, healthy, inclusive and low carbon communities where improvements preserve and enhance the local environment and make Woodstock and the area around it a great place to live, work and visit.

Once finalised – with feedback from local people helping shape the plan, the LCWIP will be an essential tool, helping to get funding to deliver active travel improvements in the town and surrounding area.

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For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Notes to editors

• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.
• Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIP) were introduced by the Department for Transport, alongside the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, for local authorities to “develop strategic plans to improve conditions for cycling and walking, in order to support increases in travel on foot and bicycle”.
• You can find out more about Oxfordshire County Council's approach to LCWIPs online.

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