Colchester St Botolph's campaigner says consultation hasn't been fair

Clare Marsh, an activist who hung banners reading “Save St Bot’s trees” around the roundabout earlier this month, said a survey she conducted on Saturday suggested those who regularly use St Botolph’s Roundabout were unaware of the consultation the authority launched last month.

She said: “It occurs to me that the supposed consultation, which was carried out by Essex County Council, focused on the wishes of those who don't use this route, rather than taking into consideration the views of those who do."

Left behind – Colchester MP Will Quince has said St Botolph's roundabout has been in need of an overhaul for quite some time (Image: Newsquest)

Between 8am and 10.30am, Ms Marsh said she counted 199 people and five dogs using the space, including six people with pushchairs and five bicycles.

The campaigner, who has described the space as “a green oasis”, has also hung up a new banner on the entrance to the underpass, reading “You won’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone”.

Under new plans set out by Essex County Council, the roundabout is to be torn up as the authority looks to replace the roundabout with a crossroad layout.

Demonstration – Clare Marsh's latest banner suggests the crossroads won't be a good replacement for St Botolph's Roundabout (Image: Newsquest)

But Clare Marsh said the loss of the greenspace would be to the detriment of the city centre.

She said: “I spent a very pleasant two and a half hours on Saturday morning sitting in the sun, on a neglected wall, in the green oasis that is St Botolph’s Roundabout.

“The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, and as a lone, middle-aged woman I did not feel at all intimidated or unsafe."

A spokesman from Essex County Council disagreed with Mrs Marsh's views on the consultation, however, saying there were 550 responses.

He said: "The St Botolph’s consultation was open to all residents and everyone living in the nearby area were written to and encouraged to take part, and a well-attended consultation event was also held at St Botolph’s Church for people to find out more.

"The consultation had nearly 550 responses, with the majority coming from within the immediate local area and over a quarter stating that they use the roundabout every day.

"The consultation feedback is being now evaluated and we have welcomed all views on the draft proposals. No decisions have been made to date."