Improving parking and commuting in Colchester City Centre

We are enhancing the city’s parking and transport infrastructure to ensure that there's more than enough parking for residents and visitors. As part of ongoing city centre improvements, we are focusing on major repairs and upgrades to St Mary's and St John's car parks based on 2019-2024 modelling - using actual car park data - and factoring in future growth in population.

Key parking upgrades

Starting in March 2025, we will begin £1 million worth of repairs and upgrades to these car parks, with work expected to be completed by Spring 2026.

Improvements will include:

  • widening parking bays to accommodate modern vehicles
  • waterproofing and structural repairs
  • enhanced payment systems, CCTV, and lighting
  • improved pedestrian areas for safety and convenience

These upgrades are part of a broader effort to modernise Colchester’s infrastructure, alongside the planned redevelopment of Britannia Car Park and enhancements to public transport, including the rapid transit system.

Photograph of the entrance to St Mary's Car Park

Page last reviewed: 20 January 2025