DELAYED work to regenerate land at Colchester Town railway station will begin as soon as a new developer is chosen.

Plans for the Town Station Square project, which is beside Colchester Magistrates’ Court, at St Botolph’s Circus, were first announced in 2010, but the scheme has faced a number of set backs since.

Colchester Council, which is co-ordinating the project, had selected a Chelmsford-based construction firm to carry out the work, but it went out of business last year.

The council is now receiving fresh bids from developers to carry out the £270,000 revamp, which will be led by urban consultant Jo Fairfax.

The development, largely funded by developers’ contributions, is intended to give a better impression of the town when visitors arrive at the station, will include verses written by north Essex poets.

There will also feature public art, paving made partially out of recycled materials, seats and new lighting, while cycle racks will be provided in nearby Britannia Way.

A planning application, which paves the way for the development, has been approved.