PROPOSALS to ban traffic from Colchester high street will be put before the public as early as next year.

Colchester Council is set to appoint consultants to ask people their views on pedestrianising the town centre.

The idea has been a subject of discussion for at least 35 years, but now the next steps for reducing traffic are finally being outlined.

Colchester Council’s Policy and Public Initiatives Panel is due to meet next Wednesday to discuss the possibilities.

The panel will recommend to cabinet the next steps including agreeing the objectives of pedestrianisation, gathering data and consulting the public.

A review of pedestrianisation was first requested by the panel in June.

The report, which looks at the advantages and disadvantages, said: “Potential advantages include improvements to air quality, reducing traffic volume, easier crossing the road, boosting cafe culture, making the market environment more attractive, potential for improved public transport reliability and potential increased footfall and spending.

“Potential disadvantages include difficulty balancing the needs of all the different users, providing alternative arrangements for buses and taxis, access to and availability of blue badge parking, traffic displacement and increased traffic volumes on roads around the town centre, impact on traffic and residents in the Dutch Quarter and impact on deliveries.”

However there are a number of options as to what form pedestrianisation takes.

For example, there could be a ‘shared space’ approach where other vehicles would still be able to access the town centre, while allowing pedestrians to have priority.

Another options is restrictions would only be effective on parts of the high street, and on certain days and times.

Essex County Council, in partnership with Colchester Council, is developing a Transport Strategy for Colchester.

This will set out a vision for transport in Colchester until 2033.

Background data is being collected and it is expected a consultation will take place early in the new year.

The report added: “It is vitally important any scheme is evaluated to assess its impact on all of its users.

“Therefore it is suggested consultants are appointed to undertake early stakeholder and public consultation.

“To help inform the wider public consultation, prior engagement will take place with stakeholders including Transport for Colchester, local businesses and residents, access groups, walking and cycling groups, bus operators and taxi operators.”

If there is support for pedestrianisation, Colchester Council will work with Essex County Council, the Business Improvement District (BID), and other partners to plan further details including access rights.

Cabinet agreed a total budget of £117,000 for projects including a pedestrianisation consultation.

Councillor Lee Scordis (Lab) who chairs the Policy and Public Initiatives Panel, said: “We have no intention of rushing into anything and the point of the panel is for us to listen to residents.

“We’re especially keen on hearing from those who would be directly affected such as Dutch Quarter residents and Roman Road residents.

“The important thing is we get this right.”

In March 2013 an experimental pedestrianisation scheme was put in place, banning traffic between 11am and 6pm, although buses, taxis, motorbikes and pedal bikes were allowed access.

This was suspended a month later due to public concerns, and was reviewed again in October 2013.

The meeting will take place at the town hall at 6pm on January 9.