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£1m square work likely to be postponed (From Bicester Advertiser)
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£1m square work likely to be postponed
12:00pm Sunday 7th February 2010
WORK to give Bicester’s Market Square a £1m facelift is unlikely to start as planned next summer.
Originally it was hoped work on the square’s makeover would start in July 2011, but now it is expected to take place once the town centre development is complete.
The project is a joint initiative between Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire County Council, which have pledged £250,000 and £750,000 respectively.
Three different options for the square were unveiled in November with a decision expected to be made in April.
Each option included new paving and crossing points, street furniture, public art and landscaping.
The development would involve a loss of parking spaces.
County councillor Lawrie Stratford said: “Market Square will follow the town centre development. There is no delay, but the start will depend on how the town centre rolls out.”
He warned that delays to the town centre project could see work in the Market Square pushed back to 2012, to avoid hitting Christmas trade.
Town and district councillor Les Sibley, who campaigned for the project to be put on hold until after the town centre redevelopment, said: “It’s a victory for common sense.”
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Your Say YourBicester
Nick Mawer, Bicester says...
11:07am Mon 8 Feb 10
Have you seen what has been proposed?
Do you know how many parking spaces are being created elsewhere in the town?
Why do you think that it will lose the traditional look of the square - and what is a "traditional" look? The market square has changed many times over the years, and not always for the best, however I strongly believe that any one of the latest proposals would be an improvement, and in keeping with the look of the new town centre.
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Oxford resident, Oxford says...
1:07am Mon 8 Feb 10
Where's the benefit if it loses the traditional look of the square and also loses parking spaces?