Council’s radical plans welcomed, but how long will revamp take...and what will it cost? (From Gazette)

Council’s radical plans welcomed, but how long will revamp take...and what will it cost?

7:10pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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COUNCIL bosses want Colchester town centre to change radically in decades to come.

A new shopping centre, a focal point for anyone with an interest in the arts and clean, well-lit streets which are not gridlocked with vehicles are all on their wish-list.

It is difficult to find fault with the vision set out in “We Believe in a Better Town Centre”, a consultation launched by Colchester and Essex County councils, along with the local strategic partnership Colchester 2020 and the Haven Gateway Partnership.

But the questions of how and when the changes will be made, how they will be paid for and even what they will be remain unanswered.

Derek Ashbee, who runs Culver Square shopping centre, was one of scores of influential figures in Colchester who descended on Lion Walk Church to hear the masterplan set out.

Like many there, he wanted to know more. He asked: “What’s the time frame and where’s the money coming from? What will be the impact on business rates and council tax? That’s really what people want to know.”

Some work is starting already. Hoardings have just gone up at the site of a new courthouse off St Botolph’s Roundabout, while work starts next week on improvements to nearby St Botolph’s Priory.

In the past there has been talk about changing what vehicles can drive along Head Street and High Street, how the town can attract more visitors in the evenings and how shops, cafes, restaurants and bars can thrive.

Ian Vipond, executive director at Colchester Council, told those at Monday’s launch that the aim was to look at the town centre as a whole.

He said: “What we’ve started to do with a number of partners is begin to bring a variety of jigsaw pieces together and create a more unified vision of Colchester going forward.

“With the A12 junction coming, the park and ride planning application in, and the work around cycling in Colchester, we can take a fresh look at the town centre and how it works.”

One area where movement is taking place – perhaps ironically given the state of the town centre – is transport.

There have long been calls for changes to Colchester’s High Street, with bans on cars or all vehicles long mooted.

But that does not appear to be likely in the near future. Instead, Colchester and Essex County councils are working on a two-phase plan aimed at getting traffic, and especially buses, moving.

Under the plans, to be outlined to the public later this year, Head Street would become more of a focal point for buses and taxis, with more bus stops and information available.

While cars would not be banned from the road, ways of “discouraging” them are being studied by highways experts.

Norman Hume, county councillor responsible for highways, said the plans were not anti-car.

He added: “Colchester is a historic town and one that I think deserves the current attention it has been given.

“This is not going to happen in the next 12 months – it’s a long-term project. We want to keep the town open, but try to encourage every opportunity for public transport, cycling and walking.”

This is one aspect of the town centre where there is a deadline for change.

Howard Davies, town centre project manager, said: “We have got this end date of December 2012, when the bus station closes.

“We would like to see some work done in a year’s time.”

Phase two is a focus on whether Stanwell Street can become the main bus station.

But all depends on when the Vineyard Gate shopping centre, currently stalled because of the recession, will be built, and exactly what form it will take.

Mr Davies insisted Caddick, the developer behind the project, was still keen and it was a case of when, rather than if the 60-store centre gets built.

Only when the centre is built will it be known if Osborne Street will close. At that point, officers could look at “pedestrian priority” in the High Street.

Other work going on includes studies on ways to help small retailers on Colchester’s historic streets, such as Eld Lane and Long Wyre Street.

The Visual Arts Facility should finally open next year, while the first phase of the Cultural Quarter – a hotel and a media hub – should not be far behind.

Lyn Barton, borough councillor responsible for regeneration, insisted concrete plans will follow the launch. She said: “Doing nothing is not an option. We’re determined to move forward.”