BUSINESSES have welcomed moves to review a plan which would see parking spaces reduced in Colchester’s Crouch Street after weeks of protest.
The blueprints proposed by Essex County Council would see a cycle lane constructed at the junction of Balkerne Hill and Crouch Street, Colchester.
The herring-bone spaces in Crouch Street West would 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.
The changes were drawn up under a council-led green travel campaign, with the scheme set to be funded following the County Hall’s successful £7.4 million bid to the Government’s second Active Travel Fund.
As part of the process to implement the proposed changes, Essex Highways held a consultation on the Crouch Street plans.
The council says proposals will now be reviewed to assess how residents’ concerns can be taken into account.
Kenneth Lo, who owns China Chef in the road, said: “It's a great relief that the council are to review their current parking plans for Crouch Street, in the light of the considerable objections by businesses and residents.
“The original consultation process was badly flawed and failed to properly consult with both businesses and residents.
“We are looking forward to county council officers engaging with us on our views for alternative cycle routes and welcome the opportunity to discuss them in more detail with their planning team”.
The Friends of Crouch Street group added: “We are delighted with this result. It’s a reflection of all the hard work and commitment of many from right across our community.
“We look forward to now working with all parties to find a plan to benefit the whole community.
“Our thanks go to councillor Lee Scott for taking this seriously and listening to those who previously felt excluded from this process.
“Thanks also to Will Quince for his expression of support.
“The biggest thanks have to go to the many hundreds of people who emailed, wrote letters and campaigned hard on this issue to now give us this chance.”
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