TRADERS in one of North Oxford's most picturesque shopping streets have welcomed the completion of a £45,000 revamp.

Earlier this year, Oxfordshire County Council agreed to pay £20,000 to improve pavements in North Parade, and Oxford City Council's north area committee added another £25,000.

Traders in the street wanted improvements to boost businesses suffering in the recession.

And they hope the work, completed last weekend, will lift takings in the run-up to Christmas.

The revamp has included widening the pavements by about 2ft to make the street feel more like a pedestrian precinct.

There are also new rubbish bins and cycle racks, and short-term parking bays have been created at either end.

Deborah Hall, landlady of the Rose and Crown pub, said: "The street looks really great and is now much more visible from Banbury Road.

“The workmen have been very good and I don’t think any traders have experienced any difficulties in terms of getting deliveries.

“Not everyone was in favour but the majority of traders think the work is an improvement on what was there before.”

Marianne Moxon, 59, who lives in North Parade with her husband Richard, 68, added: “I have lived here for six years and have campaigned very hard for changes to be made.

“Both ends of the street now have a much more open feel, particularly the Banbury Road end which includes new bicycle racks.

“We want this to be a street that shoppers linger in, not simply drive through, and following the refurbishment it is far more pedestrian-friendly.”

Alan Armitage, Liberal Democrat city councillor for Summertown, said: “I had hoped everyone would agree to full pedestrianisation but we could not reach consensus on that.

“As a result traffic will still be allowed into the street and there will be some short-term parking.

“The work has been carried out to encourage people to walk along the street who might otherwise pass by.

“Recently a couple of new shops have opened, including a cake shop, and I hope the work makes more people aware of the street’s existence.

“Shoppers will certainly be rewarded if they do walk along it.”

In recent years, the launderette and chemist shut, followed by the sweet shop and post office in 2007.