A council is being forced to spend a staggering £1million to widen parking spaces in two car parks in response to the growing size of modern vehicles.
Colchester City Council announced that several changes are being made impacting two car parks in the heart of the city, backed by funding over the coming months.
The extensive improvements at St Mary's and St John's Car Parks will address the growing challenge of accommodating larger cars in traditional parking bays.
The project forms part of a broader initiative to modernise the city's parking infrastructure ahead of upcoming regeneration plans.
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Works are set to begin in March following a tendering process, with completion expected by Spring 2026. The improvements will be implemented in phases to minimise disruption to city centre visitors.
The project aims to extend the lifespan of both car parks by 10 years, with wider parking bays being a key feature of the renovation.
The upgrades will also include new payment systems, enhanced CCTV coverage, improved lighting and better pedestrian areas.
Councillor Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Waste, said: "With wider cars on the road, many of our city centre parking bays are underused simply because they are too narrow for modern vehicles.
"By widening the bays in St Mary's and improving the access to St John's Car Parks in addition to other upgrades we will not only make these areas more accessible, but we are also preparing for the future as part of our broader regeneration efforts."
Beyond the widening of parking bays, the improvements will focus on essential maintenance work including waterproofing and structural repairs.
The upgrades will create a more welcoming environment with decorative improvements and modernised payment systems.
Enhanced security measures, including upgraded CCTV and improved lighting, will ensure visitors feel safe at any time of day.
The works are being coordinated alongside plans for the multi-million-pound regeneration of Britannia Car Park.
The Lib Dem councillor for Mile End, added: "These changes are part of a wider commitment to ensuring that Colchester's city centre is well-equipped to handle future growth.
"By improving parking facilities now, we are ensuring that our infrastructure can support the city's regeneration, which will include major changes to nearby areas like Britannia Car Park and beyond."
Essex Highways is also working to strengthen public transport options alongside the parking improvements.
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Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said modern vehicles were causing issues, especially with the little amount of space on either side of the vehicle when someone finds a parking spot.
He continued, saying: "After spending time looking for a place to park, it can be frustrating for drivers to discover there's not enough room to get out of their vehicle, not least if they have a family in tow, have mobility issues or need room to use a wheelchair.
"Operators are also faced with the dilemma of having to repaint spaces to accommodate these larger vehicles, which is especially difficult where space is already restricted."
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Colchester City Council announced that several changes are being made impacting two car parks in the heart of the city, backed by funding over the coming months.
The extensive improvements at St Mary's and St John's Car Parks will address the growing challenge of accommodating larger cars in traditional parking bays.
The project forms part of a broader initiative to modernise the city's parking infrastructure ahead of upcoming regeneration plans.
Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]
Works are set to begin in March following a tendering process, with completion expected by Spring 2026. The improvements will be implemented in phases to minimise disruption to city centre visitors.
The project aims to extend the lifespan of both car parks by 10 years, with wider parking bays being a key feature of the renovation.
The upgrades will also include new payment systems, enhanced CCTV coverage, improved lighting and better pedestrian areas.
Councillor Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Waste, said: "With wider cars on the road, many of our city centre parking bays are underused simply because they are too narrow for modern vehicles.
"By widening the bays in St Mary's and improving the access to St John's Car Parks in addition to other upgrades we will not only make these areas more accessible, but we are also preparing for the future as part of our broader regeneration efforts."
Beyond the widening of parking bays, the improvements will focus on essential maintenance work including waterproofing and structural repairs.
The upgrades will create a more welcoming environment with decorative improvements and modernised payment systems.
Enhanced security measures, including upgraded CCTV and improved lighting, will ensure visitors feel safe at any time of day.
The works are being coordinated alongside plans for the multi-million-pound regeneration of Britannia Car Park.
The Lib Dem councillor for Mile End, added: "These changes are part of a wider commitment to ensuring that Colchester's city centre is well-equipped to handle future growth.
"By improving parking facilities now, we are ensuring that our infrastructure can support the city's regeneration, which will include major changes to nearby areas like Britannia Car Park and beyond."
Essex Highways is also working to strengthen public transport options alongside the parking improvements.
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Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said modern vehicles were causing issues, especially with the little amount of space on either side of the vehicle when someone finds a parking spot.
He continued, saying: "After spending time looking for a place to park, it can be frustrating for drivers to discover there's not enough room to get out of their vehicle, not least if they have a family in tow, have mobility issues or need room to use a wheelchair.
"Operators are also faced with the dilemma of having to repaint spaces to accommodate these larger vehicles, which is especially difficult where space is already restricted."
Find Out More...