Latest news with #ColchesterCityCouncil
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Colchester cemetery gravestones to be laid flat
Some gravestones in a cemetery are due to be laid flat temporarily to remove any danger of them falling over and injuring City Council said it checked 10,331 memorials at Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium between April and June 2024 and deemed 789 to be council said the memorials would be laid flat, with inscriptions facing upward, for the foreseeable people had died in the UK over the last 30 years because of memorials falling on them, the council said. Burial authorities have a legal duty to maintain burial grounds in good order and must also ensure they have taken reasonable steps to protect public councillor Jocelyn Law, portfolio holder for communities and public protection, said: "We understand how important memorials are to families and the community."This decision has been made with safety as our top priority."Clear signage and communication were due to be put in place at the cemetery to explain the process to visitors, added the council.A spokesperson said it did not have a timeframe on when the issue would be resolved. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Scottish Sun
08-08-2025
- Scottish Sun
One of the UK's newest cities reveals £7m revamp plans with new historic quarter, kids play area and castle trails
The council has worked closely with Heritage England to preserve the ancient site CITY UPGRADE One of the UK's newest cities reveals £7m revamp plans with new historic quarter, kids play area and castle trails Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONE OF the UK's newest cities has unveiled plans for a massive £7 million redevelopment. The major transformation will see the establishment of a new historic quarter, as well as trails leading to an amazing, historic site. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Colchester is one of the oldest cities in the UK Credit: Alamy 4 Colchester is home to St Botolph's Priory Credit: Colchester City Council Team Colchester, which is heading up the transformation, a collaboration between Essex County Council and Colchester Council. The city of Colchester has history stretching all the way back to the Iron Age and is one of the biggest Roman settlements in Britain. Because of its history, it is home to historic structures including St Botolph's Priory - a medieval house established in 1093. Now, the area surrounding the incredible structure is receiving a major cash injection to make it more accessible and visible. Read More on Travel BARGAIN BREAK The often-forgotten country named world's cheapest place to travel in 2025 A new play area inspired by St Botolph's, as well as improved lighting and safety features will be created. Better links to the Colchester Town railway centre, as well as accessibility features, will also be established. English Heritage and Historic England worked with the council to ensure that the priory's amazing character is maintained, as work begins in September. One of the 'most ambitious periods of transformation in its history' David King, leader of Colchester Council, said: 'St Botolph's Quarter is central to our vision for a more vibrant, inclusive city centre. 'This is a historic space – freely accessible – but long under-celebrated. That's something we want to change.' Kevin Bentley, leader of Essex County Council, said: 'Colchester is in the midst of one of the most ambitious periods of transformation in its history. Visit Essex travel 'By 2030, the city centre will be almost unrecognisable – and this project plays a key part in that.' The news comes as plans to regenerate Colchester more widely take shape. Kevin Bentley, leader of Essex County Council, said: 'Colchester is in the midst of one of the most ambitious periods of transformation in its history. By 2030, the city centre will be almost unrecognisable – and this project plays a key part in that.' Much of the work is being funded by the Government's Levelling Up Fund and Town deal. Artist impression plans 4 A new area surrounding the St Botolph site will be established Credit: Colchester City Council 4 Construction is expected to begin in September Credit: Colchester City Council The news comes after Swindon underwent a £33 million redevelopment. Despite previously being branded a 'gang capital', the Fleming Way area is receiving a brand new travel hub. The existing bus stop has been demolished, ahead of the reopening of the area on August 15. New benches, bike racks and waste bins, in addition to more than 185 trees and 23,000 plants and bushes, are also being added to the area.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Dedham 'a village not a festival', says councillor
An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is being treated more like a "festival" and not a place that deserves "special attention", a councillor has said. Darius Laws, a Conservative councillor on Colchester City Council, lives by the River Stour, in the Dedham Vale, and is urging people to be "responsible" when they visit the said crowds flocked to the waterway on the Essex-Suffolk border, immortalised by painter John Constable, and there was an increase in issues including litter and bad parking."Don't go into the local shops with hardly any clothes on," he said. "It's a village where people live all year round. It isn't a festival it's a village." The river has seen an increase in visitors partly because of the rise of stand up paddleboards and inflatable kayaks. But Laws said "a minority of people" were not treating the area with the respect they should, as first reported by the Daily Gazette."When the bins are overwhelmed, people think it's alright to leave the rubbish next to the bins, but if you have a gust of wind it goes into the river and animals can come along and eat discarded food waste, and can become ill," he also said people might not be aware how close the river is to a sewage treatment works, with recent cases of illnesses including Weil's disease. Laws continued: "We need everyone to take responsibility for their footprint, if the bins are overwhelmed, then please take your excess litter home."I'm worried the natural landscape is being challenged by a minority of people who aren't being as respectful as they could be. They think it's OK to have the odd disposable BBQ, it's a place of beauty, we want to keep it that way."We welcome visitors, but they need to be responsible." John Ward, the independent leader for Barbergh District Council, said the number of visitors had "rapidly increased" since the Covid-19 lockdowns and "every year people were flocking to the area". "We're doing the best we can to try and manage the problem, we're talking to local councils, police and have installed double yellow lines to enforce parking," he says the landowner is "doing his best" and clears up litter, has installed portable toilets and has allowed cars to park on his field at certain times of the year to "help with traffic management". "You're welcome to enjoy the beautiful Stour Valley, but we can't get to the litter every night, we don't have the staff to do it as often as we can," he said. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X and follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Colchester City Council suspends recycling due to heat on 1 July
A city council has suspended recycling collections because of safety concerns about "ongoing extreme heat".Colchester City Council made the decision with temperatures expected to hit 31C (88F) on recycling, such as paper, plastic, cans and glass, will instead be picked up during the next scheduled Dem councillor Martin Goss, who has a responsibility for neighbourhood services and waste, said: "The safety of our staff is extremely important to us and we trust you will understand why these decisions have been taken." In a statement on its website, the authority said it was "in response to the ongoing extreme heat and an amber weather warning issued by the Met Office".Collections of non-recyclable, garden, food and business waste will not be affected."The council aims to resume scheduled recycling collections from Wednesday, subject to a forecasted drop in temperatures," a spokesman added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans unveiled for £7m regeneration of Colchester city centre
Updated plans for a £7m regeneration project in a city have been unveiled after they was shaped by more than 800 residents, businesses and community project to transform Colchester's southern quarter has been funded by a one-off government grant. It will be located alongside the £12m St Botolph's Circus redevelopment and the scheme is part of a wider transformation of the city King, the Liberal Democrat councillor and leader of Colchester City Council, said: "There was a real sense of excitement around the plans to enhance the grounds of St Botolph's Priory, with many suggesting that the scheme will help it to become a 'must-see' destination." Within the public consultation, people wanted to see the area modernised and revitalised, better access to St Botolph's Priory, improved connections to Colchester Town station and a new public space that celebrates the city's heritage. Feedback during the consultation included the loss of parking spaces, accessibility from the train station and preserving the special character of St Botolph's Priory ruins. Plans have since been revisited and adjusted to include more lighting on bollards and LED lighting to increase safety and CCTV. Colchester City and Essex County Councils have worked with groups representing people with sensory impairments and physical disabilities to ensure the scheme is inclusive and accessible including shaping key aspects of the layout and navigations. Historic England and English Heritage have also been involved in the project to ensure it not only safeguards the historically significant Priory but enhances its setting and visibility. Mr King said: "We're proud to be working with our community to shape a city centre that reflects our shared values - heritage, accessibility and ambition. "This project, together with our great castle and wider heritage, the upcoming Jumbo Experience, and the ambitious £5m vision for the Natural History Museum, will help position Colchester as a flagship city for anyone with an interest in British history." To coincide with St Botolph's Day, the new space will be named St Botolph's Square in honour of the Priory and the patron saint of boundaries, travel and trade. Final designs will be made public ahead of the planning submission in July. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
