A CONTROVERSIAL High Street car ban is to be temporarily lifted for pupils to enjoy their prom night in style.
Dad Martyn Morrisson is celebrating a victory after a combined effort with the Gazette to ensure Year 11 leavers can celebrate their once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
Ferraris, limos and trucks previously faced the possibility of having to navigate Colchester’s narrow Dutch Quarter streets during Colchester Academy’s prom, hosted at the town hall.
Rules state cars are not permitted to drive down the busy High Street between 7am and 7pm, with access restricted from six city centre junctions.
To navigate the restrictions, Colchester Academy told parents to ensure their children are dropped off in narrow West Stockwell Street and walk to the venue on July 1.
But following calls from Mr Morrisson and pressure from the Gazette, highways bosses at Essex County Council have agreed to lift the ban for one night.
A County Hall spokesman said: “We fully understand the importance of prom night to the students and their families.
“We want to ensure the students can enjoy their special night. Therefore, we will be making an exception under the existing order to permit vehicles involved with the prom to travel down Colchester High Street.”
The news delighted Mr Morrisson, who was anxious his 16-year-old daughter Coryn’s prom would be watered down by having to walk to the venue.
He said: “I’m very happy, this is fantastic news and shows common sense has prevailed.
“It’s not just for me, it’s for all the students who can now relax. A few of the parents I’ve spoken to will be relieved. It’s one less thing to worry about on what is already an expensive night.
“This will give the event a totally new slant. The whole impact of the arrival and getting out of the posh cars, the photo at the entrance of the building is just going to be fantastic now.
“I used to do security and covered a few proms. It made me realise how big a deal it is to the pupils.
“They rock up in Lamborghinis, Rolls Royces, Ferraris - the entrance is almost as big an event as the prom itself.”
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