A main route into historic Colchester has been branded a junkyard.

A row broke out between a leading Colchester politician and workers involved in building the new Odeon cinema in Head Street.

More than 20 vehicles belonging to contractors were parked on double yellow lines on roads behind the Mercury Theatre yesterday afternoon.

A skip full of junk and timber had been left on pavements and another skip had been left partially on the pavement and partly on the road.

Ken Jones, Colchester Council's portfolio holder for leisure and tourism, said the area was a main route into the town's historic centre and currently looked like a "junkyard".

But workers at the site say there is nowhere else to park and they need their tools nearby.

Ian Archie, foreman for contractor firm SDC, which is just one of many firms working at the site, said it was the first complaint he had heard of in the 18 months he had been there.

He said until two weeks ago, his team had been given permits to park.

"It is a £12 million project and our workers need their tools to work with," he added.

He added a council officer had allowed the skip and timber to remain on the pavement between the Mercury Theatre and the new Odeon building as long as the area was cleared of other debris. The new cinema will open in October.

Published Friday August 9, 2002

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