Colchester residents opposed to High Street car ban

Since June 2020, temporary traffic restrictions have been in place in Colchester High Street as part of Essex County Council’s Safer, Greener, Healthier initiative.

The measures were introduced in a bid to increase space for pedestrians and enable social distancing as retailers reopened following the first national lockdown.

As a result, normal traffic – excluding buses, taxi, blue badge holders and motorbikes - has been prohibited from using the High Street between 7am and 7pm.

During the trial period, Colchester residents were asked if they supported the initiative as part of a consultation which concluded back in August.

Bosses at Essex County Council recently told the Gazette the results are still being evaluated, but suggested the public approved of traffic restrictions in the High Street.

The outcome of a Gazette poll, in which a staggering 1,390 people voted, however, seems to seriously suggest otherwise.

According to the poll, 76 per cent of readers – which is more than 1,050 people – do not think the car ban should be made permanent.

One of those is Sally Reed, who said: “The vehicle bans only works if they are all or nothing and there’s a decent alternative route.

“There is no point banning cars if you can have motorcycles, buses and taxis screaming up there - it’s either pedestrianised or it’s not.”

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Rachael Burrows agrees.

She added: “Although the poll shows what the people want, the council will keep the ban in place.

“It would make sense if all traffic was banned, but as it stands only a percentage is – it is not any safer for pedestrians, so let everyone use it and free up the other roads.”

More than 300 voters, however, which equates to roughly 24 per cent, believe the ban should remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Gareth Lee believes an all-out traffic ban could bolster trade in the city centre.

He said: “Pave it all top to bottom and restaurants could have nice areas outside and more stalls could be there like the ones near Lion Walk.

“[You could have] street entertainers and it would be nicer to walk around with children.”

Bosses at Essex Highways have now responded to the findings of the poll.

A spokesman said: “Essex Highways has extensively consulted and engaged with local people and councillors on a Traffic Regulation Order for Colchester High Street.

“ECC consultations take care to be inclusive, accessible, genuine, meaningful and accountable.

"Our Active Travel consultation, held in summer 2021, included a mixture of quantitative and open-ended questions to assess levels of support for active travel measures and gauge a deeper understanding of respondent’s opinions.

"During this consultation, 57 per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the measures proposed.

“Residents, important third parties, such as disability groups, cycling groups, passenger transport-users and schools were all consulted.

“Recent figures show that compared to traffic levels prior to the pandemic, there has been a third of a reduction in traffic entering the High Street since the restrictions were introduced.

"Our Safer, Greener, Healthier initiative work will continue enhancing walking and cycling sustainable travel journeys across the city.

“Temporary restrictions were introduced in Colchester High Street in 2020 as part of ECC’s Safer, Greener, Healthier, initiative.

“A further consultation was held in April 2022, when a variation on the original temporary order was made.

"This variation continued restricting traffic during the busiest peak periods of the day, but allow access during the evening and night to support the night-time economy.

"In this consultation, only five objections to the TRO were received."