Sweeping changes could be made to the provision of on-street parking places in Colchester to cope with the "excessive demand".

Colchester Council officials have been carrying out a review on parking, which they say is already in limited supply.

This coupled with the net loss of 600 parking spaces in the town centre due to the regeneration of St Botolph's means there will be a "pressing need" for change.

John Lemon, Colchester's parking services manager, said in a report to the borough's policy scrunity panel, there is a need to sort out dated restrictions.

Drastic measures considered included restricting permits to only one per property where no other off-street parking was available.

The aims of the changes are to recognise the needs of residents and business premises, along with encouraging a shift towards walking, cycling and public transport.

There will be public consultation after councillors have discussed the changes.

Published Wednesday, January 26, 2005

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette