Chelmsford Borough Council has given out times and dates for services in operation over the Christmas and New Year period.

The council based at the Civic Centre, Duke Street, will close on Christmas Eve, with cashiers closing at 2.30pm and other services closing at 3.30pm.

Chancellor Hall also has similar closing times and both will re-open on Wednesday January 2.

Manor Road Depot, Public Cleansing Depot, Drovers Way Recycling Centre and Housing Depot will be closed on December 25, 26 and January 1.

Civic Theatre and Chelmsford Retail Market are closed on December 25 and 26, along with Chelmsford Museum and the Cramphorn Theatre, but the two are also closed on January 1. Riverside Leisure Centre will be closed on December 24 to 26.

The council has agreed refuse collection dates in the Chelmsford Borough for the Christmas and New Year period.

Normal collection arrangements up to and including Christmas Eve apply, with no collections on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Collections that usually take place on these days will take place two or three days later. Highways Agency has said roadworks across Essex have been suspended until the New Year with the majority of lanes remaining open during the Christmas holidays.

Restrictions will still apply on the M11 junction 8 slip roads for the Stansted junction improvements. A contraflow and 40mph speed limit are in place.

The A12 Brentwood Bypass will also have traffic restrictions for BT work.

Chelmsford Borough Council has also announced that work on roads and footpaths are not planned over the Christmas period and will re-start in the New Year.

Chelmsford Citizens Advice Bureau has also made arrangements over the holiday period.

The bureau in Broomfield Road will be closed between Saturday December 22 to 27, December 29 and January 1. They will be open at all other times.

Published Wednesday December 19, 2001