Could Banbury become '˜powerhouse' of the region? Public consultation seeks to establish town's long-term vision

The Banbury Vision and Masterplan will work together with Cherwell District Council’s adopted Local Plan and is available to view until Wednesday, April 13. It integrates planned schemes with new proposals and connects the functions together to create a sustainable market town and regional centre.

This vision is formed from six inter-connecting strategic objectives that will:

Promote Banbury as the regional service centre of choice for the wider region.

Establish a strong economyReduce congestion and improve accessibility.

Create a vibrant and attractive town centre.

Create a high quality environment and distinctive character to live and work.

Promote opportunities for local people.

In a lengthy document on Cherwell District Council’s website, the report said: “The significant housing growth planned for Banbury will provide the opportunity to develop Banbury into a stronger regional centre with a full range of retail, leisure, cultural, sporting and social activities.

“To deliver this role the strategic roads, public transport network and car parking will need to be improved together with better training and higher education opportunities for local people.

“Banbury should become the powerhouse of the region, but needs better access and a growing and vibrant town centre.”

And hot on the lips of everyone in the town will of course how the town will cope with increased congeston on its already busy roads.

A four-page report on transport includes reducing congestion through a coordinated network strategy to improve existing routes/junction capacity, signage and construct new roads in the following locations:

Hennef Way and M40 junction 11 improvements.

Identify preferred route for link road to the east of M40 junction 11 to connect onto Overthorpe Road.

Work with developers to deliver the spine road through new residential development from the A361 to A4260.

Improve the north-south route through the town centre from the junction of Hennef Way and Concord Avenue along Cherwell Street, Windsor Street and Bankside to the junction with the A4260 on Oxford Road.

Junction improvements at Cherwell Street and Bridge Street, which will improve capacity, bus access to the town centre and pedestrian links to the railway station.

Traffic management and environmental improvements along South Bar Street/Horsefair corridor.

What do you think? To view the document click here.