BUSINESS owners have condemned plans drawn up by Essex Highways which will slash the number of parking spaces on Crouch Street.

Kenneth Lo, Alison Hudson, and Phil Gunton have spoken out against the measures, which will see the number of parking spaces cut from 23 bays to 11 so cycle lanes can be introduced.

All three have urged people to voice their objections to Essex County Council, which is pushing ahead with the cycle lanes as part of their Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign designed to encourage more sustainable forms of transport.

But Mr Lo, who owns the China Chef restaurant in Crouch Street, argued the new measures would be detrimental to businesses, and added that other outlets, such as Faces hair salon and H Gunton grocery store, are also fiercely opposed to the plans.

He said: “We all feel our livelihoods are going to be endangered by these proposals.

“The vast majority of our customers come by car, and not bicycle – our client base depends on people being able to drive their cars into the business and arrive with their families.”

Along with Alison Hudson, of Faces hair salon, and Phil Gunton, of H. Gunton grocery store, Mr Lo is urging people to object by personally delivering leaflets to residents in Lexden and St Mary’s areas of Colchester.

He added: “We have been personally putting these leaflets through the everyone’s doors in Lexden and St Mary’s to tell people how dangerous these plans are to our businesses.

“The council should think of an alternative plan – or do they just expect to steamroll us with a consultation that was done last year?”

Mr Lo also argued the plans would make it harder for businesses to receive deliveries, arguing the number of loading bays will be reduced.

“With this ‘no loading’ rule, there will be only two loading bays – the lorry would have to stop at Tesco Express before deliveries are hand trolleyed to a shop.

“Once we get lots of objections, I hope businesses will join us [in challenging the proposals].”

Highways spokesman - 'Majority support new cycle lane plans' 

ESSEX Highways has defended its plans to reduce the number of parking spaces in Crouch Street, despite a barrage of complaints from business owners.

Owners of China Chef restaurant, Faces hair salon, and H Gunton grocery store have hit out at the plans, arguing customers who travel to their businesses by car will be put off by the parking restrictions and lack of spaces.

But an Essex Highways spokesman responded to the criticism by saying the initial consultation phase of the plans saw a majority of respondents support the plans.

He said: “The proposals for Crouch Street in Colchester were extensively consulted on with residents, businesses and local members whilst being developed.

“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.

“On top of this, 64 per cent supported measures to make Colchester safer for active travel, 65 per cent either supporting or being neutral about repurposing carriageway for active travel measures and 72 per cent supporting improved cycle crossings.”

The spokesman added Transport for London research found high street walking, cycling and public realm improvements can increase retail sales by up to 30 per cent.