A SALON manager has challenged officials at Essex County Council to speak to business owners who say their livelihoods could be lost by plans to restructure Crouch Street in Colchester.

Allison Hudson, who is the salon manager at Faces Hair and Beauty, slammed plans by Essex Highways to reduce the number of parking spaces – a blueprint devised so more cycle lanes can be introduced along Colchester's roads.

Faces Hair and Beauty, which has been in Crouch Street since the early 2000s, could face extinction should the plans go ahead, Mrs Hudson argued.

She said: “Last year, businesses received a letter [from Essex County Council about the plans] – we wrote long and detailed emails and none of us got a reply, so we just assumed our objections had been logged.

“Kenneth Lo [the owner of China Chef] has spoken to all of the businesses here, a number of residents, and members of the public – and no-one can confirm that they were asked about these plans by Essex County Council or Colchester Council.

“We want to see evidence of that consultation.”

As well as taking issue with Essex Highways’ consultation, Mrs Hudson also said the plans would have a destructive effect on businesses in the area should the cycle lanes be implemented.

“I can’t begin to tell you of the impact it will have,” she said.

“If those parking spaces disappear, this is potentially going to be another ghost street – the town centre is being systematically smothered.

“We are probably going to lose our jobs because of this, and other businesses feel the same – give us the evidence of that consultation and come and meet business owners.”

A statement from Essex County Council explained the consultation took place last year and that consultations for traffic regulation orders (TROs) on Crouch Street closed earlier this month.

A spokesman said: “The Active Travel Fund consultation ran for six weeks between May and July 2021.

“The consultation on the TROs for Crouch Street in Colchester closed on June 3.

“We have had over 300 responses – positive and negative.

“These responses will be consolidated and form part of the submission to the cabinet member to inform decision making.”