TWO councillors have helped save Christmas for the Witham community after successfully securing a road closure for the highly anticipated Christmas Fair.

Essex county councillor for Witham Northern Ross Playle and Braintree councillor for economic growth Tom Cunningham pushed to secure the closure of Newland Street in Witham for the town council’s hugely anticipated Christmas fair event.

The Christmas fair was staged for the first time last year with about 4,000 residents attending for the lights switch-on and other festive activities.

However, the road closure needed for this year’s event to go ahead came into jeopardy earlier this month when Essex County Council would not grant a full closure of Newland Street between Mill Lane and Maldon Road.

The authority said it was in case traffic needed to be diverted off the A12 and along Newland Street.

Mr Playle argued the fair was a once-a-year exception and said if there was an incident on the A12, traffic would not normally be diverted through the town.

Mr Cunningham also wrote to Essex County Council to urge a rethink and to stress the huge benefit the fair would bring to small businesses at a critical time for the economy.

Following intensive lobbying efforts from the pair, Essex County Council agreed to the road closure, allowing the event to take place in full.

Mr Playle said: “Last year’s inaugural Christmas fair surpassed all expectations and brought the whole community together with some early festive cheer.

“The town council were left at a loss when they were told they couldn’t have the Newland Street road closure for this year’s event.

“It has taken some doing with lobbying, but I’m delighted that we have now managed to secure the full road closure and can look forward to a wonderful event.

“I want to thank Tom and his team from the council who did a sterling job at helping to make a convincing case for a rethink on the original decision.”

Mr Cunningham added: “I know how important town centre events are to our communities, retailers and businesses, particularly the Christmas event.

“The opportunity for the town to come together and for retailers to benefit from increased footfall is hugely important.

“Witham does these events brilliantly and I am very pleased that Braintree Council could play its part in helping make sure this year’s event goes ahead and am sure will be a great success.

“I am grateful Essex County Council has changed their original decision.”

Witham Town Council’s Christmas fair takes place on Saturday, December 3, from 3pm to 7pm in Newland Street, with the festive light switch-on at 7pm.