I am writing with reference to the plan by Lay & Wheeler to use the former oyster sheds in West Mersea for a seafood restaurant (June 7).
There are two problems here: There are already a number of restaurants well established on the coast road, which is basically a cul de sac.
They are popular already, one at least has a car park. Is Lay & Wheeler targeting the existing clientele, or does it assume it will attract its own?
On a fine day – without diners – there are no parking spaces available at West Mersea, which is a popular sailing resort.
There is already much “illegal” parking in the nearby very narrow roads. Is there room for 24 cars to park (that’s assuming that couples are dining and share a car).
From the above, we should ask how many sittings Lay & Wheeler expects on a daily basis – lunches, afternoon tea, evening dinner? So what will be the expected extra traffic on this already inadequate road?
Lay and Wheeler has already turned a nearby pub into a restaurant with a very large car park. It will have a very good idea of what the likely demand for car parking will be.
Finally, have the appropriate council authorities got any common sense? Can they not see the apparent problems?
Bob Dove
Launceston Close
Colchester
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