ACTION to improve the forgotten part of Colchester has been promised in three months.

Colchester Council has drawn up a 24-point action plan to boost the Hythe.

It follows a meeting last month when residents compared the appearance of the area to war-torn Afghanistan.

The list includes coming up with ways to spend millions of pounds to develop the area, increasing police patrols, setting up neighbourhood watch groups and addressing the state of derelict and arson-hit Bridge House.

Tim Young, councillor responsible for community safety, said: “I want to see action within three months and real improvements in six. We are on track to do that.

“Hopefully, residents will be pleased with this. But I know they will want to see some concrete actions in place, because they have been promised things in the past which haven’t been delivered. I will do everything I can.”

Mr Young praised council officers for drawing up the action plan so quickly.

He said: “Issues are very real at the Hythe.

“The action plan has been drawn up and the points are all affordable and can be done.

“With developers’ money, there are often restrictions on how it can be spent and what on. But I definitely want the residents to have a say, because it’s where they live.’’ Last month’s public meeting was organised by Christian group Source after the Hythe suffered a large number of fires in the last year.

Most happened in derelict buildings or on new estates and the action plan is seeking to prevent more happening, as well as repairing the damage.

Keith Barrett, assistant pastor at Colchester Area Community Church, in the Hythe, welcomed the action by Colchester Council.

He said: “I certainly think this will help. Anything that puts finance in some measure into the community to stabilise it we would welcome.

“The concerns are ongoing in the area.’’ He said the move was needed “so the people can share their ideas and values and find the best way forward.

“I would think residents will be pleased.”

The council wants the names and addresses of 16 youths who were removed from a derelict building.

It wants to find out what was done in the way of punishment, why the youngsters were in the building and if the council needs to intervene by applying for antisocial behaviour orders.