CONTROVERSIAL plans to install new cycle lanes in Colchester and demolish the city's Balkerne Hill underpass have been shelved, with some describing the move as "great news".
A planning blueprint put forward by Essex County Council last year set out a desire to revamp the Balkerne Hill pedestrian crossing and put in place a new cycle lane along Crouch Street West.
The current echelon parking bays on the street, which allow free parking for 30 minutes, would have been replaced by parallel parking spaces, according to the proposals.
The Friends of Crouch Street group even enlisted the support of Colchester MP Will Quince, who raised the plans with the secretary of state for transport.
READ MORE: Battle lines drawn in fight for future of the 'Bond Street of Colchester'
The result of the public and political pressure is that the plans will now not be progressed further, with councillor Lee Scott – county hall’s portfolio holder for highways maintenance and sustainable transport – stating as much in a letter to residents.
It read: "After extensive public engagement and discussions at a very senior level, we have heard the concerns from some residents, and I have decided that the proposals for works on Crouch Street West, Balkerne Hill and Crouch Street East are not to be progressed at this time.
"Essex County Council remain firmly committed to improving walking, cycling and the availability of public space in the area, and so will be considering alternative interventions with officers, stakeholders, and the funder."
But not everyone is convinced the axing of the Active Travel plans is the right move, with county councillor Lee Scordis criticising the decision on social media and describing it as "a huge setback."
He wrote: "This was a great chance to improve Active Travel, improve public health and reduce car usage.
"It was agreed democratically by ward and county councillors and used up hours and hours of officer time.
"I’ve asked for evidence of why this decision was made but I believe councillor Lee Scott needs to resign as the cabinet member for highways – he has shown little interest in these changes and has bowed to a minority."
Tony Cheeld, who founded the Friends of Crouch Street West group, countered Mr Scordis's arguments by saying the consultation for the works was poorly publicised.
"He said: "What Essex County Council didn't do was publicise this properly – 92 percent of residents behind Crouch Street knew something was going on, but they had no idea what.
"I think Lee Scott has looked at these plans very carefully and he think he knew that what we were saying was true.
"I want to stand up for Lee Scott because I admire his tenacity and determination to get it right, because it takes courage to cancel something."
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