Bicester Market Square

Project Update - September 2025

Following extensive engagement with residents and businesses earlier this year, a preferred concept design for Market Square has now been approved by the executive. This marks a major milestone in the regeneration of Bicester’s town centre.

The design reflects community feedback on parking, traffic flow, and pedestrian space, and aims to create a vibrant, accessible hub for everyone who lives, works, and visits the town.

With a total investment of £5.131 million, the project now moves into the next phase: detailed design and technical studies, which will be carried out by our contractors, WSP, during autumn 2025. This work will inform the planning application and contractor tender process, ahead of construction starting in summer 2026.

Read more about the executive decision and project background

For questions or feedback, contact the Bicester team at Bicester@Cherwell.Gov.uk

Project Update – May 2025

We are pleased to share an update on the progress of the Market Square redevelopment project. Following a series of public and business engagement activities led by our consultants, a preferred design concept has been identified. This concept reflects the valuable feedback received from the community earlier this year and aims to deliver a more connected, accessible, and welcoming town centre.

Key design influences from community engagement

The updated concept has been shaped by four core priorities identified through engagement:

• Enhancing pedestrian space to create a more inviting and accessible environment.
• Improving town centre connectivity to support footfall and local business vitality.
• Optimising traffic movement to ensure efficient flow through and around the area.
• Avoiding major reduction in parking, maintaining convenience for visitors and businesses.

Overview of the preferred design concept

The proposed changes to Market Square include:

• Ring road transformation: The B4100 ring road will be converted into a two-way route, improving connectivity between Market Square and London Road. To accommodate this, the road will be widened, and footpaths slightly narrowed, balancing traffic efficiency with pedestrian safety.

• Pedestrian safety enhancements: The number of safe pedestrian crossings will increase, ensuring secure and accessible routes both approaching and within Market Square.

• New pedestrianised zone: The original road entering Market Square from the B4100 will be pedestrianised and enhanced with seating and planting, creating a vibrant space for community interaction.

• Taxi rank relocation: The existing taxi rank will be reduced to a pick-up/drop-off point, with the main rank relocated to Sainsbury’s near the library. This new area will also be pedestrianised and improved with seating, planting, and lighting.

• Parking: Importantly, parking spaces will remain available throughout the construction period and after completion, ensuring continued access for visitors and businesses.

Next steps:

The development of this project will continue to be monitored by our Bicester Area Oversight Group who will work closely with local forums, residents, and businesses to deliver the new area priority plan. In the meantime, survey work will begin to develop a finalised design, with our consultants, WSP over the next few months.  

For any questions please see our frequently asked questions or to stay updated contact: bicester@cherwell-dc.gov.uk

Sign up: We are asking residents, businesses, community groups and those with any interest in the Bicester Market Square, to sign up for updates on our project.