RESIDENTS have spoken in support of plans to rejuvenate Maldon and Heybridge.

Last year Allies and Morrison won a tender to draw up the proposals for a masterplan to transform the centre of Maldon and Heybridge.

Proposals include work to improve the lower end of the High Street by creating an environment for outdoor dining and improving shopfronts.

Gill Crawford, of Keep Maldon Unique, welcomed the moves to attract more people to the town centre.

She said: “On the face of it, it all sounds fantastic.

“I would like to see a better use of the direction of traffic around Maldon.

“If they are talking about connecting the town with the park in a better way then Mill Road is pretty horrendous for pedestrians as there is only pavement on one side and it is quite narrow.

“The council also needs to look at improving the parking.

“People won’t come if they have to pay too much.”

Mrs Crawford also backed plans to develop the lower end of the High Street.

She said: “It would be lovely to have such a beautifully thought-out town. But unfortunately things don’t always end up this way.”

Maldon resident Diane Mccallum, who has campaigned for a cinema to come to the town, said: “The proposals sound very exciting.

“I think a market on Hythe Quay would be a good idea and attract more people to the Prom.

“It would be nice if the plan could incorporate a cinema with maybe two screens. I still have my petition to present to the council with nearly 2,000 signatures in support.”