Regeneration chiefs hope the extension of platforms at Hythe railway station will prove key to completing the revamp of east Colchester.

The transformation of the town's historic docks area has made great strides in recent months, with housing projects funding the creation of broad pedestrian walkways beside the River Colne.

On the other hand, the area remains scattered with derelict industrial buildings which will only be demolished if developers put up the cash to build more homes in their place.

With the number of flats on the market currently outstripping demand - due both to the credit crunch and Colchester's recent building boom - it remains to be seen whether firms will risk further investment.

Peter Alder, east Colchester project manager for Essex County Council, today admitted the decline of the buy-to-let market could hurt the Hythe's prospects.

But he said the imminent start of improvement works at the station could provide the remedy.

Rail operator National Express East Anglia said today it had yet to decide how the timetable might change.

  • More in today's Gazette