| July 2006 - Section 278 TRO
Consultation re Queens Road and Other Highway Changes
When outline planning consent was granted by Colchester Borough Council Planning Committee in February 2002 for the development of Cook's Shipyard, permission was given conditional on there being a number of changes to the access roads to improve safety for road users and pedestrians. Some of them are considered minor, like the 'build outs' in East Street and Brook Street which will soon be implemented, whilst others required ECC Highways to conduct a formal consultation prior to commencement of works. The proposals ECC Highways have put forward were advertised at the end of June - click here for a copy of the notice - and this formal consultation period ended on 24th July, 2006. The most controversial of these proposals is one to block Queens Road at its junction with Valley
Road, thereby turning it into a cul-de-sac. It is understood over 100 residents have written letters to ECC Highways as well as two petitions also lodged with them, one in favour of closing Queens Road, signed by 140 people and one against, signed by 170 people. The Town Council has submitted a 12-page report to ECC Highways containing their views about what they believe could be the 'unintended consequences' on other roads and on highway safety from blocking off Queens Road. Click here to read a copy of the Town Council's report. Cllr Steve Ford held 4 meetings with residents during July and a copy of his report to Highways is made available here too. Click here to read. In consequence of the Section 278 TRO Consultation, the
residents of Queens Road have formed the Queens Road Residents Association
which supports the closure of Queens Road. Pat Marsden, Chair of the
Association explains their concerns and why they support the closure of
Queens Road - click here.
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