BIKE parking facilities which were removed to make room for Colchester’s new High Street market have still not been replaced.

Colchester Council removed eight cycle stands, enough to park 16 bikes, near Bank Passage, opposite William and Griffin, to make room for stalls.

But five months later, they have still not been replaced.

Darius Laws, Conservative councillor for the Castle ward, has criticised the delay.

He said: “The provision of cycle parking is a vital element in increasing the number of people cycling into the town.

“It is appalling Colchester Council should reduce the amount of cycle parking provided – and in the town centre of all places.

“We should be doing more to champion cycling in Colchester.

I urge the Lib-Dem led administration to reverse this cut as a matter of urgency.”

The shortage is made worse by the temporary removal of four stands outside William and Griffin during the shop’s building. Mr Laws has calculated this as a 37 per cent loss of cycle parking on the High Street.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “In order to accommodate Colchester market in its new location on the High Street, it has been necessary to relocate the cycle and motorcycle parking at the top end of the High Street.

“The council is working to replace the equivalent number of spaces in the top end of the High Street and is exploring different designs and assessing costs from suppliers.

“In the interim, there is cycle parking available by the Halifax in Culver Street West, outside of Liquid Night club, High Street, outside the Library in Trinity Square, outside the Mercury Theatre in Balkerne Gate, further down the High Street near the Slug and Lettuce, and the council has made available the cycle shelter behind the Town Hall to offer extra provision.

“There is also motorcycle parking available by the Mercury Theatre, Culver Street East and in all Colchester Council car parks.”