Colchester may lose Vineyard Street and Britannia car parks

Members of the council’s local plan committee met to discuss the proposals.

The plans, which will now face scrutiny from the public during a consultation period, include proposals to close the car parks in Vineyard Street and Britannia Way.

Speaking at the meeting, the former Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell warned: “Driving motorists out of the city centre will have a serious financial impact on the council’s income.

Save our car parks - Sir Bob Russell raised concerns at a council meeting

“But there is no mention of this in the [masterplan]. Instead [it] supports the closure of the popular Vineyard Street and Britannia car parks.”

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The closure of the Vineyard Street and Britannia car parks has formed part of Colchester Council’s local plan since 2010 to allow for the development of both city centre housing and retail outlets in Vineyard Street, and housing in Britannia Way.

Local plan committee chairman Martin Goss has confirmed in the event of the closure of the Vineyard Street car park, the existing disabled parking bays would remain.

He added the council was committed to opening a new car park close to Britannia Way should redevelopment occur on that site.

At risk - The popular Vineyard Street car park could close depending on the outcome of a new public consultation (Image: Google Street View)

Mr Goss added: “If the Britannia car park is developed into housing the car park has to be replaced in the vicinity.”

The Mile End councillor suggested this would likely be on land close to the magistrates’ court, or a multi-storey car park could be constructed on the current site, alongside housing.