COUNCIL bosses have said the safety of all citizens who use a Colchester street is their “utmost priority”, after campaigners raised concerns over layout changes.

Lee Scott, Essex county councillor responsible for highways maintenance and sustainable transport, has come out in defence of his Crouch Street West project.

The scheme, part of the council’s Safer, Greener, Healthier campaign, would see the removal of the herringbone car parking set-up in favour of parallel parking spaces.

The number of parking spaces would also be cut from 24 to 20, although Colchester Council has said free parking will be made available in St Mary’s car park.

If agreed, the pedestrian underpass in the area could also be filled in, meaning people would have no choice but to use the Balkerne Hill crossing.

Mr Scott has now moved to reassure residents worried about how the changes could impact locals, businesses, cyclists, and visitors alike.

He said: “The safety of pedestrians, cyclists and disabled users of Crouch Street West has been the utmost priority throughout the process of identifying the best option for investing Active Travel England Funding in Crouch Street West.

“This included consulting accessibility groups who raised real concerns around the current layout and use of herringbone parking. This type of parking is not recommended by the British Parking Association.

“Given this, the recommended option I have put forward replaces herringbone parking spaces with parallel parking spaces, which give drivers far better visibility of the road, other users and the space around them.

“The new parking arrangements will also allow for additional loading bays and dedicated accessible parking, which is not available in Crouch Street West currently. 

“I believe the recommendation implements changes that will create a space that is safer, greener and healthier for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Activists from the Friends of Crouch Street group, however, remain unconvinced.

Tony Cheeld, who founded the group, said: “Drivers cannot parallel park.

“This change would introduce risks of injuries to pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists, but with herringbone parking the worst you can do is dink the car next to you.

“They are also going to take eight parking spaces away which will go below the critical minimum of empty spaces need and so businesses will be impacted.

“This is one of the last places in Colchester which does not have an empty shop and it is a lovely little community – residents I have spoken to are against it.”