Colchester city centre car ban change under masterplan

The Colchester City Masterplan is set to go before councillors next week before the public get to have their say on it. 

The plan aims to set out a "clear vision" for the future development of Colchester city centre for years to come.

Proposals include creating a low-traffic and people focused city centre. 

As part of this the plan suggests the existing High Street car ban could be extened across the city centre to include streets such as St John's Street. 

It would mean only buses, taxis, goods vehicles and cyclists would use these roads but access only streets would be factored in. 

The report going before councillors said "complete pedestrianisation is not being proposed."

The long term goal is to implement a Zonal Traffic Circulation plan, similar to a ring road, across the city to reduce traffic to the centre. 

Other suggestions include a reduction of long stay parking options to encourage people to use the park and ride. 

The plan also inlcudes the potential use of land at, or close to, Stanwell House as a means of expanding the existing bus facilities at Osborne Street. 

It is hoped this would ease up congestion within the city centre.

Expanding the capabilities for bus services on Osborne Street is an option that has been earmarked. (Image: Steve Brading)

Increasing sustainable transport to the city centre was described as vital to reducing the city’s carbon emissions.

The masterplan reads: “As many people as possible should walk, cycle or use public transport to travel into the city centre.

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“This is critical for reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality, and making the city a more pleasant place to spend time.”

Several changes to car parking within the city were also proposed to implement the plan. Measures include implementing flexible parking charges and integrating electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The plan also suggests investigating the potential to run a frequent bus shuttle service from Colchester railway station to the city centre.

Councillor Mark Goacher, who sits on the environment and sustainability panel, said: “In terms of anything that promotes the park and ride, I am totally in favour of that. In the future we will need look at having more than one park-and-ride.

Traffic - The air quality on Brook Street was a concern for city councillor, Mark Goacher.

“In terms of the High Street, obviously the current arrangement is what it is, it is neither here nor there. Any changes to High Street have to be done with residents in mind. Promoting public transport has to be a priority for the future, but residents' needs must be bared in mind.

“It benefits residents that there isn’t all of this through traffic constantly coming down the High Street. The only concern is that residents living in the city centre need to be able to access their estates.

“We do have to think about people who live in the middle of the city centre, in terms of reducing overall traffic. East Street and Brook Street are areas of concern.”