Traders in Brentwood are celebrating after learning a section of Crown Street will be pedestrianised.

Business owners have been campaigning for the change for four years, and last week heard that the plans will go ahead.

It means the section from the Hair Company to Voodoo salon will shut to traffic.

Lin Heath, from French Quarter. said: “We need it pedestrianised because of the danger aspect here. We have a Towie shop [Fusey owned by Joey Essex].

“The road was already dangerous, and now if Joey Essex Tweets he will be here there is a stampede.

“The problem is that they don’t know cars can drive down here, as it does look like a pedestrianised road already.

“When the change comes in it will make a huge difference. It will be safer but also encourage people to shop here.”

Alison Applegate, owner of Racquet Boutique, said: “We could have tables and chairs outside the shops, and anyone who looks down the road from the High Street would know that this is a shopping street.

“It is not obvious if you don’t know it.

“Cars race up the street, so making it pedestrianised would make it a lot safer.”

Cllr Julie Morrissey said she and Cllr Mike Le-Surf had been working with traders on the pedestrianisation of Crown Street for a number of years.

She said: “It’s taken a monumental effort to keep up the pressure on the Tory administration. Lin and I have discussed the possibility of a ‘niche’, almost artisan, market occasionally in Crown Street once it’s pedestrianised. We will definitely be putting something together for the ‘launch’ so watch this street!”

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