PLANS to ban cars and buses from Colchester High Street are back on the table.

The idea of pedestrianising the High Street has been debated for years but has continually come up against stumbling blocks including disabled access and delivery problems.

However, the issue was brought to the attention of councillors at a number of policy and public initiatives panel meetings.

The panel was set up to allow the public to express their views on what could be done to improve the town.

Pedestrianisation of the High Street was raised at the first panel in June, and continues to be brought up regularly at the meetings.

Listening to the views of residents, the council’s most recent Cabinet papers show hundreds of thousands of pounds have now been set aside to explore the idea.

The Cabinet is due to discuss the papers on Wednesday.

A fund of £117,000 has been made available for a consultation on the issue.

The report also adds the idea is being looked at by the newly-established Business Improvement District panel.

David King (Lib Dem), Colchester councillor responsible for resources, said: “This money has been set aside with a potential view to hold a consultation.

“It would be a long term project. We have noted the public’s interest in it and we hope to support the panel.

“The thing we need to do is get Essex County Council to support it as they own the highways.”

Lee Scordis (Lab), chairman of the policy and public initiatives panel, said plans are being put in place to make sure consultation is carried out properly.

He said: “At the moment we don’t know how everyone feels as there hasn’t been a consultation, but we are listening.

“We need to look at different options. There’s an option to implement it all the time or just during the day and not rush hour, there’s an option to have it as buses only, or only from Fenwick to Maidenburgh Street and have a turning circle for taxis and disabled people to be dropped off.

“I believe a lot of pubs and restaurants are going in that direction as they want more Al fresco dining. We want to get this right so we will listen, there’s a possibility of having car-free Sundays.”

Plans will take time due to the complexity of the issue.

Mr Scordis added: “We need to take into consideration disabled people, and residents living in the Dutch Quarter who have access.

“If we want to look at rejuvenating the town we need to look and something like this. Before it was done without consultation and it was a disaster. We want to engage with the community this time.”

An Essex Highways spokesperson said: “As the Highways authority, the decision to alter any part of the highway network would rest with the county council.

"At this stage work still needs to be carried out in order to make the necessary decisions regarding Colchester High Street.”

The history of the High Street 

MOVES to pedestrianise Colchester High Street are not new.

Once a two way road, the High Street has also been one way and partially pedestrianised.

But despite political support for a town centre traffic ban, problems over deliveries and access have always proved stumbling blocks.

A partial pedestrianisation was introduced in 1996 but the route eventually reverted back to traffic use.

In 2009, Colchester councillors had meetings with Essex County Council and other stakeholders to look at the area, ahead of closing the Queen Street bus station and setting up a new hub in Osborne Street in 2012.

However, there were complaints about the negative effects pedestrianisation would have on business. In 2010, councillors said there were no plans to pedestrianise the High Street in the foreseeable future, as it could make the town ‘feel dead’.

But by 2012, traders were calling out for something to be done to help bring in customers. Business owners said the town was being “held back” because the High Street is not pedestrianised.

A trial was held in March and April 2013, but Essex Highways bosses scrapped it due to concerns around the impact on town centre shops and businesses.

Cars and delivery vehicles were banned from the road between 11am and 6pm but buses were still permitted to use the road at any time.

Last year Mike Lilley (Lab), arranged for more top level talks on pedestrianisation with Essex County Council. A new ban could not be implemented without agreement between Colchester Council and highways authority Essex County Council.