New plans for Harwich port should include cycling, campaigners say

A plan for huge redevelopment of Harwich port should include cycling facilities, a campaign group has urged.

The Colchester Cycling Campaign says it is keen to see full cycling provisions as part of the proposed Bathside Bay development.

The group’s plea comes in light of a new planning application for the site, made public last week.

Developer Hutchison Ports wants to put an operational container port at the site and has asked Tendring Council if the planning permission can be extended to 2021.

Permission to develop Bathside Bay was originally granted following a public inquiry in 2006 but is due to run out in 2016.

Hutchison Ports now wants to stall the process by five years as it would allow more time to upgrade the A120 and to possibly install a wind farm.

The campaigners say the importance of cycling as part of transport provision, has increased since the original application was granted.

Will Bramhill, chairman of the Colchester Cycling Campaign, told theHarwich Standard: “Consequently, we request that an extra condition is added to any revised or renewed permission to the effect that the developer funds an area-wide cycle review as part of this permission, and agrees to pay to install those cycling facilities as part of any work on Bathside Bay.

“The area-wide review should look at how to connect Parkeston and Bathside port facilities to nearby residential areas, including Ramsey, Upper Dovercourt, Dovercourt town centre and old Harwich, using the most direct routes possible.”

He added: “The review should involve Essex County Council and either Sustrans (the national cycle route charity), the CTC (Cyclists' Touring Club) or Cycling England.

“Harwich has traditionally had a high level of cycling and this should not be eroded by lack of provision for cyclists.”