And so the pedestrianisation of the High Street (that isn’t really pedestrianisation…) has found a “way forward.”
Which means that Essex County Council and Colchester Borough Council have finally got round to the head banging session [Oooh] and come up with a plan that will not please the pro-car lobby, or probably even the more sustainable types around the town that would like to see a complete pedestrianisation.
It’s all about a compromise, Comrades.
Sunday 17th March will see the softly, softly approach in telling cars to bugger off out of the centre of Sunny Colch. The Sunday morning approach seemed to pay off for the bus station (that’s not really a bus station…)
You may remember how the Traffic Regulation Orders [Oooh] as it is now known has long since been debated at both County and Borough level. The problem has been that both sides have not been able to reach an agreement.
Until now.
No longer will the CBC Cabinet be able to roll out the “waiting on an ECC press release” when fending of mischievous [ha!] questions from the opposition.
The joint press release has finally been published. In typical Love Me I’m a Liberal fence sitting fashion (ahh, the good old days of liberalism, we remember them well..) – COMPROMISE is the key:
“The main changes to town centre access will still relate to the High Street with access restrictions introduced on neighbouring streets including Head Street and North Hill. Access to the High Street for all cars and delivery vehicles will now only be restricted between 11am and 6pm, rather than the previously proposed 10am.”
Here’s hoping that the dash to beat the 11am Witching Hour doesn’t lead to a snarl up backing all the way back down to North Hill.
“Licensed private hire vehicles [um, TAXIS] will be added to the list of vehicles with full access to the High Street, supporting the range of sustainable travel options for journeys to the town.”
As for the overall reasons as to why Sunny Colch needs this car-less [sorta] scheme?
“The improvements are designed to enhance the environment for shoppers, boosting the town’s vitality and economic prosperity. Air quality at key locations will also be improved, along with the reliability of public transport and the operation of the town’s new bus station in Osborne Street / Stanwell Street. The changes will also support future planned transport projects, including Park and Ride in Colchester.”
Ah yes.
Park and Ride.
Remember that?
A joint press release waiting, yep – WAITING to happen, Comrades.
Vroom vroom.
3 Comments
Great timely article. Does Cbc have any idea what else improves air quality?
It will be interesting to see how this works out.
What about disabled drivers? Will CBC provide extra blue badge spaces elsewhere?
It will be interesting to see how it is enforced. I regularly have to go to the Town Hall (for work) during the working day and at present can simply drive there. If they have cameras that check for “private” cars, and then send a letter through the post telling me that I have “offended” then I will be very pleased to simply tell them to find someone else to do the work that I go there to do, as the heavy and expensive equipment I use cannot be carried from the nearest car park, and I don’t much feel like paying to park my own car in the town centre when I am not being paid for the work I do at the Town Hall anyway! Perhaps there will be another “exemption” for CBC staff, official visitors, volunteers, etc.