Crouch Street Colchester disabled bay parking plan in the works

A draft Traffic Regulation Order for Essex County Council-led plans for Crouch Street West has been published for public consultation.

The plans detail a revamp of the road in a bid to improve provision for cyclists and pedestrians.

The original consultation involved the removal of all parking on the north side of Crouch Street West, but some parking will now be retained following objections.

Early design plans for Crouch Street and Balkerne Hill (Image: Essex County Council)

A statement alongside the amended plans said: “Discussions undertaken also identified a need for a disabled parking bay and timed loading and unloading.

“Therefore, an area for a disabled bay and four other bays, located on the north side of Crouch Street West, are included in the revised design.”

One Gazette reader hit out at plans to have the disabled-only parking space lapse at 6pm.

“They are proposing a much-needed disabled bay, but like the bays on North Hill they revert to normal parking after 6pm,” he said.

“This is ridiculous and discriminatory as disabled people are allowed out after 6pm.”

• READ MORE: Businessman says Crouch Street changes 'will drain lifeblood of Colchester's shops'

Lee Scott, the council’s highways boss, said: “Safety has been of the utmost priority throughout the process of identifying the best option for investing funding in Crouch Street West and the needs of protected characteristic groups, such as disabled users, were taken into account when the proposals were developed.

“Both the Walk Colchester accessibility group and the Essex Sight Charity were members of the Colchester Active Travel Steering Group which helped shape the proposals.

“The proposals will introduce a new disabled parking bay in Crouch Street West, which will be exclusively for blue badge holders between the hours of 8am and 6pm.

“Outside these hours, when Crouch Street West is quieter, it will be available for all users offering additional flexibility.”