BATTLES lines have been drawn in the fight for control over the “Bond Street of Colchester” after a lengthy war-of-words between campaigners and council bosses.

Over the past few months business owners and residents turned placard-wielding activists have vehemently opposed plans to revamp Crouch Street in Colchester.

Essex County Council wants to make changes in a bid to improve provision for cyclists and pedestrians in the area by making a raft of changes.

The authority’s proposals suggest replacing the current herringbone car parking spaces with a parallel parking set up while other spots will be removed all together.

Designated cycle routes travelling in both directions, meanwhile, could also be established and the road and its adjacent pavements would be resurfaced.

Blueprints also show a desire to fill in a pedestrian walk way underneath Balkerne Hill which is used by hordes of students use every day going to and from school.

Since unveiling the plan campaigners and bosses at Essex County Council have been at loggerheads, with the former staging a series of protests challenging the vision.

The council says many residents are in favour of the changes, but The Friends of Crouch Street West group and East Lexden Residents Association say otherwise.

Members of the two movements fear businesses in the area will be negatively impacted by the revamp and there would be a “real risk of injury”.

Phil Gunton, owner of iconic grocers H Gunton, said: “The cycle lane routed under my shop blinds just isn't safe for cyclists or the customers leaving my shop.

“The subway is also a grave concern and we are of the opinion that changing the parking from echelon to parallel will cause more delays and possibly accidents.

“This will make the street less attractive to shop in and if we lose some spaces it becomes even less attractive for people to nip in and shop.

“There will also be no space to stop and wait in the street as it will be one lane. No spaces free and nowhere to wait and the potential customer will drive elsewhere.

“Many businesses are starting to recover from the multiple lockdowns and restrictions, but a potential further fall in customers will be too much for some.

“In my opinion this will affect my business initially due to the fall in footfall these works will cause and some businesses may not survive this phase.”

Wayne Hudson runs a pair of small independent hair salons which have had a presence in the Crouch Street for more than 40 years.

He said: “Our industry is in crisis and we have not returned to the same levels of business pre-covid.

“We like Crouch Street as it is. It is like the Bond Street of Colchester and it is the last bastion.

“We all have huge concerns about safety, congestion and how the plans are absolutely not environmentally friendly.

“We feel the councils are not listening to public opinion - even a staunch cyclist involved in the initial consultation feels the plan is flawed.

“My family and colleagues’ livelihoods are at stake but ultimately I’ve lived here all my life and I love Crouch Street. It is unique - let’s keep it that way.”

The consultation period for Essex County Council’s plans for Crouch Street has now closed and the public’s overall opinion on the proposal will soon be considered.

Speaking in defence of the scheme, a spokesman for the authority said: “Safety has been of the utmost priority throughout the process.

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

“Accessibility groups raised real concerns around the current layout and use of herringbone parking which is not recommended by the British Parking Association.

“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.

“The recommended option will see the underpass under Balkerne Hill replaced with a new safer crossing for both cyclists and pedestrians.

“There will also be improved space and accessibility as it joins directly onto a wide paved area on Crouch Street East.

“The existing subway is substandard, with vertical ramp angles and widths that no longer comply with design standards, and it is unusable for disabled users.”