Following our announcement last month of the council’s decision to remove the oak and horse chestnut trees situated in the High Street Car Park we would like inform visitors and residents that work to fence the car park, in order to create an environment where various works can be carried out safely, will begin the week commencing 15th December.
However, the car park will remain open and accessible to vehicles until 00.01 on January 5th, 2026.
At that point the car park and toilets will be closed and there will be no right of access for pedestrians or vehicles.
We would like to be clear that if vehicles remain in the car park after that time they will be removed with the costs of recovery the responsibility of the vehicle’s registered owner.
The aim is to limit the closure to as small a window as possible and we would like to reiterate the public will not be permitted to access the site due to the need to meet health and safety requirements for the safe working by members of the council staff and our contractors.
We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation.
The council has made the decision to remove the trunk of the oak tree in a single piece and have been working with various parties to explore how best the trunk and branches can be used.
We are pleased to announce that the oak will be provided to Essex Heritage Working Vessels.
This organisation is dedicated to undertaking projects and commercial ventures that assist and provide the preservation, operation, restoration, maintenance of Essex Heritage Working Vessels
With over 130 vessels that were built in Essex for a commercial purpose before 1965 still active, there is an important link to the past of our working and social life here in Essex.
These vessels hold so much information about our County and changing economic landscape. Wivenhoe has long had a proud history of ship building and the oak will be used to repair and regenerate historic Essex boats including one which was designed and built in Wivenhoe.
While we continue to work with the Wivenhoe biodiversity group to create a lasting legacy within the town that will recognise the oak tree, the tree itself will continue to be part of the county’s history.