Busy Colchester car park to close for archaeological works

From 20 July 2026, 92 spaces at the western end of Britannia Car Park in Colchester will be unavailable for up to seven weeks during archaeological investigations, which form an early phase of the development of the new St Botolph’s Quarter.

The car park has about 370 spaces in total.

Councillor David King, deputy leader of Colchester City Council and portfolio holder for communities and public protection, said: "St Botolph’s Priory is one of Colchester’s most remarkable historic assets.

"Dating back to the 1100s, its Norman architecture and the layers of history within its walls tell the story of our city – from its origins through to the Civil War.

"However, the surrounding area and access to the Priory have been neglected, making it difficult to fully experience everything it has to offer.

"Through this project, we’re changing that."

The closure is necessary to carry out archaeological investigations, which could uncover historical remains from Colchester's more than 2,000 years of history.

These works are being carried out in collaboration with Historic England and the Colchester Archaeological Trust.

Findings from the investigations will inform the detailed plans for the St Botolph’s Quarter development.

Once the archaeological works are complete, the car park will reopen in full until construction begins.

The temporary closure is part of broader plans to revitalise the area and create a welcoming gateway to the city from the train station, extending through to Firstsite and Colchester Castle.

The St Botolph’s Quarter scheme aims to transform the area into a vibrant public space that supports events, markets, and improved pedestrian routes.

Mr King said: "By improving footways, introducing clearer wayfinding and adding sensitive lighting, we’re making the Priory easier to reach, safer to explore and more inviting at any time of day.

"We’re giving St Botolph’s Priory the attention it deserves, so it can once again become a place people are drawn to – a destination in which we can take pride and that residents and visitors can enjoy."

Although the closure of the car park will temporarily reduce city centre parking, the council is confident that the impact will be manageable.

Recent experience with the temporary closure of St John’s Car Park, which resulted in the loss of 645 spaces, showed that the city can continue to operate smoothly even with reduced parking.

The city centre continued to function normally, with steady footfall and events running as planned. That gives confidence that the city can continue to operate smoothly during the works to create St Botolph’s Quarter.

The council has also invested more than £1 million in improvements to St John’s and St Mary’s car parks, including structural repairs, brighter lighting, resurfacing, improved access and clearer signage, to enhance parking services across the city.

The St Botolph’s Quarter is one of several city centre projects being delivered by Team Colchester and We Are Colchester with government funding.

The wider improvement programme includes works at St Botolph’s Circus, the restoration of Jumbo, the new Digital Forum and upgrades to public spaces.

The development is expected to be fully completed by the end of 2027.

The council said these projects are the result of public consultation and are designed to support a city centre that is more connected, welcoming, and fit for the future.

Colchester residents and visitors are encouraged to plan their journeys accordingly during the car park closure and use alternative parking options where necessary.

The city council says it will keep the public updated on the progress of the archaeological investigations and any discoveries made during the works.