Colchester: High Street Traffic Ban Reversed

A ban on traffic down Colchester High Street has been suspended by Essex County Council.

The controversial measures had been criticised by business and disabled groups and there were concerns over access to shops. 

A protest by the Save Colchester Town Centre group was held this morning (Thursday, April 11) and the news broke while a meeting over the issue was taking place. 

In a statement, Essex County Council has said: "ECC has taken this decision due to concerns around the impact the TROs (Traffic Regulation Orders) are having on the Town Centre. 

"A programme of phased works to restore the previous Town Centre traffic arrangements will be taking place over the next week and will be completed by 21 April 2013. 

"The TROs were introduced on an experimental basis so that there would be the flexibility to react to any issues that arose. As the highways authority ECC has the statutory power to suspend the orders at any time. 

"The implementation of the TROs will now be reviewed, taking into account all feedback received. A decision on the future of the scheme will be taken at a later date."

Jade Hamnett from the campaign group Fair Access to Colchester has been telling Heart the scheme made it difficult for people with disabilities to use the High Street. 

She said: "The bays in both the High Street and Head Street were the most popular in the town. They were level, they were central to shops and facilities. 

"The alternatives the Council put in place were much too far away, they were only accessed by steep hills so it was stopping people essentially from using their own town." 

Colchester Borough Council says it has been left "staggered and extremely disappointed" by the announcement and says it was not told about the decision before it was made. 

In a statement Leader of the Council, Anne Turrell, said: "We asked Essex County Council to implement the TRO changes as part of the Better Town Centre programme, a partnership project between Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council, which aims to secure a positive and resilient future for Colchester's Town Centre. 

"Clearly we will now have to see where this leaves the improvement agenda for the town centre." 

Ms Hamnett says there are other options: "I think the main thing most people would like to see is a park and ride scheme. 

"It would encourage more sustainable transportation, it would encourage shoppers. All the other major towns in this area have a park and ride scheme and Colchester doesn't."