WORK on plans to build a new public square in Colchester city centre is due to start in the new year.
Colchester Council is working on plans to redevelop St Nicholas Square, in St Nicholas Street, which is just off the High Street.
The We Are Colchester partnership, which also includes Essex County Council and business leaders, has already secured funding for the revamp from the Government’s Town Deal fund.
Colchester was one of 101 towns in England to bid for up to £25 million in town deal funding.
An offer of £19.2 million was made last year – £1 million for accelerated public space projects in St Nicholas’ Square and Balkerne Gate and £18.2 million for the main projects.
The main projects include urban regeneration, such as building new affordable homes in Greenstead, skills and enterprise infrastructure, and digital and physical connectivity, including a 5G network in the town centre and new walking and cycling routes Initial designs for the square featured space for seating, market stalls and outdoor events.
The pavements are set to be made wider with space for bars, cafés and restaurants in the area to have outside seating.
There will be more cycle parking and the whole of the area will be landscaped with a number of new trees planted.
The roads system is also set for a total overhaul to create an area “less dominated by cars and traffic”.
St Nicholas Street could become one way to traffic, with access from the High Street stopped but maintained from Culver Street East.
Emergency vehicles will still be able to access nearby Lion Walk Shopping Centre via the new square.
A report to go before a meeting of Colchester Council’s scrutiny panel tomorrow said: “Design, planning and licencing activities for this public realm scheme are well underway with construction due to start in January 2023.
“We are working with Essex County Council to agree the approach to technical issues such as highways surfacing, tree pits and lighting.
“Negotiations continue with neighbouring businesses.
“Costs have increased from the initial business case due to inflation and the need for adaptations to the original design.
“These have been met from savings on other schemes We Are Colchester has approved and from a contribution of £300,000 from the council’s capital programme.”
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