A BID is set to be made for £20million of funding to support the revamping of Colchester's city centre.

Colchester Council has submitted the bid to the Government's Levelling Up Fund, working in partnership with Essex County Council.

If successful, the cash injection would be used to kickstart a series of works to make it easier to walk or cycle into the city centre.

Regeneration work would include building a new road layout and removing underpasses across the city.

The revamp would also see a new public space in the town centre, which would "help to build a traffic-free route from St Botolph's Priory to Colchester Castle."

The space would also provide a "convenient new hub" for storing and hiring bikes, e-bikes, e-cargo bikes and e-scooters.

The bid also proposes to complete the existing Town Deal fund for a kerbless route from Head Street to Queen Street, and to support businesses to improve shop fronts in the St Botolph’s area.

David King, leader of Colchester Council, said: “Colchester is a great place to live and work.

"However, we know there are areas of inequality and deprivation we are fully committed to tackling.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to bid for £20m of funding that will support the great work already happening with the town centre masterplan and £18.2m Town Deal projects.

"Together, they will help deliver a long-term boost to the borough’s economy, create jobs, develop new housing, and improve health outcomes for everyone in Colchester.”

Will Quince, MP for Colchester, who supported the bid, added: “I am delighted to support this bid for £20m of funding that will build on work already done in the city centre and help regenerate key areas of Colchester, such as St Botolph’s.

“Levelling up is about ensuring that everyone, no matter where they live, has the same life chances as everybody else, and this bid is an integral part of that for Colchester.

"City centres are changing, and this bid will help ensure that more of Colchester’s heritage and public realm is celebrated and enjoyed by residents, businesses and visitors.”