A CAMPAIGNING Colcestrian has pleaded with stakeholders to speak with businesses ahead of plans to significantly reshape a busy retail street.
The proposal put forward by Essex County Council is set to see a cycle lane built at the junction of Balkerne Hill and Crouch Street, Colchester.
The project, near the Maldon Road roundabout, comes in the first phase of County Hall’s active travel plan, which is forecasted to cost more than £7 million across Essex.
The herring-bone spaces in Crouch Street West will be removed for the installation of a cycle lane, while the pedestrian underpass is set to be filled in as part of £3 million works at the site.
Jim Clayton, of Rawstorn Road, just yards away from the site, says the road is unique in Colchester for its mix of residential, retail and commercial properties.
He said: “I still have serious concerns related to pedestrian and cycle safety, the economic and environmental effects, increased traffic congestion due to the proposed parking changes and a potential waste of central government funding.”
Calling on county council head honchos Lee Scott and Kevin Bentley, and Colchester MP Will Quince, Mr Clayton, 54, added direct consultation with those on the ground must take place.
He added: “I call on them to come and talk directly to residents and businesses and actually listen to their points of view before pushing a bad plan through.
“There is overwhelming local opposition here to the plans as they stand and that message appears to be being filtered out or watered down as feedback is passed back up the chain.”
Essex County Council, however, argues residents, businesses and other stakeholders were “extensively consulted” with during the proposals.
A spokesman said: ““The steering group consulted throughout their development included members of Colchester BID, which represented and liaised with local businesses.
“Local businesses were also leafleted ahead of the Active Travel consultation last year.
“This consultation found support for the east-west corridor proposals in Colchester was high, with 58 per cent in support versus 26 per cent against.”
You can have your say on the plans by emailing SGH.Routes@essex.gov.uk.
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