‘Banbury for the Future’ vision moves forward with new area action plan lined up
We have reached a key milestone in shaping the future of Banbury town centre by publishing the draft Banbury Vision Engagement Report and outlining the next steps.
At its meeting on Monday, 3 March 2025, our executive authorised the report's release and agreed to engage with the community and partners, including Oxfordshire County Council, to develop a new Banbury Area Action Plan.
The report follows extensive community engagement in early 2024, during which feedback from over 2,700 residents, businesses, and stakeholders provided a clear direction for the town’s regeneration and development.
The engagement findings revealed a strong desire for Banbury to be vibrant, safe, clean, green, fun, independent, and a destination. These values will underpin the Banbury Area Action Plan, guiding future investment and improvement projects to revitalise the town centre.
The Banbury Area Action Plan already includes infrastructure projects, such as:
- Improvements to Tramway Road, with work underway to deliver better walking, cycling and bus/taxi links to Banbury railway station.
- A major upgrade to Cherwell Street, funded via the Bus Service Improvement Plan, aimed at improving the capacity and safety of the Bridge Street junction.
Alongside these infrastructure improvements, the vision values emerging from the engagement - including cleaner streets, safer spaces, and a more vibrant cultural and retail offering - are helping shape the town’s future. These values are also influencing other key projects, such as:
- A vacant premises survey, identifying opportunities to bring empty spaces back into use.
- Proposals and emerging ideas around installing seating and planting to enhance the Market Place.
- A new cultural strategy to celebrate Banbury’s rich heritage.
- A public realm frameworks strategy, enhancing public spaces across the town.
The draft Banbury Vision Engagement Report and these early projects reflect the council’s commitment to meaningful, community-led regeneration - ensuring Banbury is fit for the future.
View draft Banbury Vision Engagement Report
Get involved
Email banbury2050@cherwell-dc.gov.uk or sign up to our Cherwell Link for project updates.