A PETITION has been launched in a bid to keep “one of Colchester’s most important historic areas” in the constituency amid planned changes.

Under changes proposed by the Boundary Commission, the ward of Old Heath and the Hythe would be removed from the Colchester constituency.

Plans were first drawn up to revamp the parliamentary constituencies covering Colchester last year, with an eight-week consultation launched.

The initial changes proposed would have seen Colchester gain Rowhedge from Harwich and North Essex, but lose Lexden and Braiswick, as well as Prettygate, to the same seat.

Initial proposals would have also seen Mersea and Pyefleet go to Witham, adding to existing Colchester areas like Stanway, Marks Tey and Layer.

But in its fresh report, the commission plans to include Old Heath and the Hythe, alongside Rowhedge and Mersea, in the Harwich and North Essex constituency.

The report said: “Including the Old Heath and the Hythe ward provides a stronger link between Mersea and Pyefleet and the rest of the constituency, as it contains Fingringhoe Road, which becomes Old Heath Road, and the Colne Causeway bridge – the first bridge crossing the River Colne when driving from Mersea to Harwich.

“Furthermore, the town of Wivenhoe has links to the village of Rowhedge via the foot ferry.

“We acknowledge a significant portion of the Old Heath and the Hythe ward is in the existing Colchester constituency and has close community ties to the city.

“However, this is true of any of the other options, such as the Greenstead, St. Anne’s and St. John’s, Highwoods, or Mile End wards.

“Old Heath and the Hythe is the only ward out of these options that has a significant portion already included in the existing Harwich and North Essex constituency.”

A petition launched by Gail Collins against the move has attracted more than 250 signatures.

It states: “Old Heath is barely a mile away from the Town Hall, it is one of the most important historic areas in the history of Colchester and central to its identity.

“The city owes its existence to the port at the Hythe that enabled it to flourish from Roman times up to just a few years ago.

“Our historic industries like Paxmans were in Old Heath, and the Hythe is currently central to Colchester's regeneration plans.

“It's an area that affects every resident of Colchester in some way and should be represented by the same MP as the rest of the urban centre of the city.”

The petition can be found here, while comments can still be made to the Boundary Commission.