Partner: Colchester Borough Council

Colchester has the fastest growing population in the UK and as such it is important to ensure that developments will encourage the right mix of quality of life, economic growth and attractive, distinctive places.

Colchester Borough Council’s Transcoast project is focussed on the regeneration and reintegration of the former port area at The Hythe. The River Colne flows through the town and out to the east coast. It was formerly a prime waterway, nurturing a thriving industrial port. However, the area no longer operates as a port and in the past decades and areas of warehouse storage and industrial use have fallen into disuse.

More recently, there has been significant high density residential developments nearby the old port, as well as large-scale retail developments that have brought people back to the area. However, the density of new residents and lack of provision of social and community spaces has resulted in a more fractured community. Likewise, the old port is not yet integrated as an attractive offer for businesses and visitors to the area.

Colchester’s Transcoast project seeks to improve the area surrounding the former port at King Edward’s Quay to improve access to the water and waterfront as an attractive offer for the community, visitors and businesses alike. It will do this by several methods:

Firstly work has taken place to revitalise the quay itself, including strengthening the river walls and adding moorings, electricity and water supplies to enable houseboats to dock. Extensive work has also been completed to install new lighting, benches, planters, paving and a series of hoardings telling the story of the heritage of the former port. This work has transformed the area, providing an attractive slice of waterside public space for people to enjoy.

The next stage of work includes the installation of pontoons from the quay onto the River Colne, making the river accessible to as many user groups as possible. This will encourage more water-based activity to take place and will provide a new linkage to Hythe Quay from the river as small water craft will be able to dock at the quay.

The project will also aim to enhance accessibility and linkages that provide a gateway to this area, making further high quality improvements to the public realm and making the locality a more attractive place to be, while at the same time acknowledging the area’s heritage as an asset.

Community involvement and engagement is central to the project, which aims to connect local residents with the changes taking place. It is hoped that this project will help the unique Hythe area to acknowledge its exciting history and realise its significant potential for the future.