Plans to create a vibrant town centre and open up the countryside are to go before before Witham Town Council.

Proposals for policy priority from Witham Labour group include plans to extend the town River Walk beyond built-up areas, providing an access route to the countryside for walkers.

The River Walk would be extended from Maldon Road to the Whetmead nature reserve with a new footbridge across the River Brain to link-up the two halves of the Blackwater rail trail.

Tom Hewitt, Labour leader of the town council, said: "We are currently working closely with Anglian Water and interesting proposals are emerging."

Also contained in the proposals are ideas to improve life in the town centre, placing emphasis on traffic management, pedestrian and cyclist safety, access for disabled people and increasing the number of town centre residents.

Mr Hewitt said: "Having more people resident in town centres makes them safer, more vibrant and more economically viable."

The proposals are being presented to the council on June 26.

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