St Nicholas Street in Colchester set to be made one-way

Essex County Council is consulting on proposals to make St Nicholas Street one way only, from its junction with Culver Street East and Long Wyre Street to its junction with High Street.

The move is being made in conjunction with the revamp of St Nicholas Square.

The We Are Colchester partnership has secured funding from the Government's Towns Fund for the project, which is being led by Colchester Council.

A report from Essex Highways says the aim of the one-way system is to "enhance the public realm" and "minimise carriageway to create enhanced footways and space available for outdoor seating".

 

It says the key aims of the project are:

• Create a more pedestrian friendly environment, less dominated by car and delivery traffic
• Create more outdoor seating space for cafés and restaurants to spill out
• Create space for market stalls and events to happen
• Ensure the space is accessible to all users

The report adds: "A number of local councillors have been supportive of the scheme and the overall ambition to create a more pedestrian friendly and open square, which supports local businesses through the creation of more external seating areas, more space for markets and events, and increased footfall in the long term."

The revamped St Nicholas Square will bring al fresco dining to the town centre as well as providing a range of new open space.

 

Read more:

• The plans to completely transform part of Colchester town centre
• Loungers reveals opening hours for its new Colchester restaurant
• First look at plans for new St Nicholas Square in Colchester

Initial designs for the square, which is set to be complete this year, feature space for seating, market stalls and outdoor events.

The pavements are set to be made wider with space for bars, cafés and restaurants in the area to have outside seating.

There will be more cycle parking and the whole of the area will be landscaped with a number of new trees planted.

One loading bay will be maintained with the rest set to go.

Colchester's old East of England Co-op department store, in Long Wyre Street, is undergoing a total revamp which will see five new restaurants, two shops and 24 apartments created.

 

Loungers has been confirmed as the operator of one of the new restaurants, the anchor site for the project.

Anyone who wishes to object to the one-way system, should e-mail TrafficRegulation.Order@essexhighways.org quoting reference TRAF/7506, by June 4.

You can view details of the Traffic Regulation Order here.