8:00am Saturday 12th April 2008
By Lynne Milford
COUNCILS in north Essex are celebrating a Government windfall, which will enable major improvements in the area.
Colchester Council leader Robert Davidson greeted the news of the £5 million by saying "this news simply could not be better for Colchester".
The town has earmarked £4.5 million for capital projects, including: l improvements to Colchester town centre l developing the landscape in St Botolph's, including plans for the new Berryfield Park and St Botolph's Priory surroundings l the Essex University business incubation centre l and work to take forward the regeneration of East Colchester, with improvements to Hythe station and remediation of the Hythe scrapyards.
The borough will get a further £412,000 revenue grant towards providing a park and ride in north Colchester and developing plans for the North Station area.
Mr Davidson said: "This funding will mean that while Colchester continues to grow significantly over the coming years, working with partners such as Essex County Council, this growth happens in a way that ensures we provide new high-quality parks and open spaces, enhance the settings of our unique heritage, such as the town wall and St Botolph's Priory, deliver better-paid jobs and ensure that Colchester's transport infrastructure is fit for purpose."
Tendring District Council is celebrating after being awarded £2.5 million over the next three years.
The grant will fund a £1.25 million project to create new pedestrian areas on Harwich waterfront with visitor parking, as well as a master plan for Walton and the Backwaters.
Improvements to Clacton and Frinton town centres will be carried out in the 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial years.
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