Road in town centre could be pedestrianised to accommodate for new market square

As part of town centre improvements, Braintree Council is looking at the viability of creating a market to help increase footfall and make the town more attractive.

Eighty-four per cent of people who responded to the Council’s Witham Town Centre consultation last year supported an idea to bring the market to Newland Street, creating a new square where it joins Guithavon Street.

The council has since undertaken extensive engineering studies with businesses, Essex County Council and the town council about how the idea might work.

One option is the idea of pedestrianising the upper part of Guithavon Street, giving Witham a central vehicle-free space for a market, seasonal events and street-side dining.

Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “We want to make the town a more attractive and enjoyable place for visitors to help increase footfall and spending in our local businesses.

"Residents have told us they support the idea to create a new market square so we’re working closely with Essex Highways to see how this idea could work in reality.

"Nothing is set in stone, but discussing it is a natural consequence of trying to achieve what people have shown they want from a modern town centre and we will go out to public consultation before any decisions are made.”

The plans, when viable and once completed, will go to public consultation before any decisions are made.

However some town councillors objected to the proposed road closure at a Policy and Resources Committee meeting.

Michael Lager, who chaired the meeting, had reservations about suitability.

He said: "One of the concerns was the possible road closure, encouraging a cafe society.

"There are a couple of problems as it's quite narrow, drafty and shaded and we don't think it's suitable.

"Also regarding traffic through the town, if we took that relief away we can see congestion in the town centre getting worse and worse."

JoAnn Williams, a councillor who lives off Guithavon Street, said she had also received some complaints from residents.

If a pedestrian space was created to house a market once or twice a week, it could be used for other activities including on-street dining.

If a road closure occurs, its design will take into account the servicing requirements of existing businesses and traffic-related impacts.

The current proposals show no loss of parking, and allow the release of the whole Lockram Lane carpark for use on market day.