CARS will soon be banned from Kidlington’s shopping precinct in a move supporters hope will boost business.

Kidlington’s High Street will be pedestrianised on Monday, April 16.

Plans for the daytime vehicle ban were first put forward in 2009 by Kidlington Parish Council.

Parish councillor Chris Pack has been leading the campaign.

He said: “This is something that people in Kidlington have been wanting for years and finally getting it is absolutely brilliant.

“It will mean we will have a decent shopping street unspoiled by cars.

“It will be safer, cleaner and provide a much more social environment. There are some parts of the village which we would like to see regenerated and this could be the catalyst for that.”

High Street will be closed to all vehicles, except those with permits, between 10am and 4.30pm every day on the stretch between Oxford Road and Watts Road.

Blue badge holders, cyclists and deliveries will still be allowed to use the street although no waiting will be allowed except for loading.

Thames Valley Police will be enforcing the new rules and any cars which do not clear the pedestrianised area by 10am could get a £30 fine.

Cherwell District Council will not be resurfacing the road but is considering installing a rising bollard.

John O’Shea, manager of Oxford Building Supplies, said: “The way the cars just park everywhere at the moment is ridiculous.

“But I can’t say whether it will have been a good thing until it goes ahead and we see what happens.

“I’m open-minded about it.”

The traffic regulation order is the product of three years of work and two consultation periods in 2010 and 2011.

Some shopkeepers will be putting a poster in their window to advertise the change and handing leaflets out, which can also be found at Kidlington Library and Exeter Hall in Oxford Road.

In the two weeks leading up to the order coming into force district council officers will be in the area to inform motorists of the change in legislation.

Throughout the first two weeks of the order being in force those who do breach it may be given advice rather than a fine.