The square's paving slabs from outside Ladbrokes, down High Street to Debenhams, and stretching as far west as the High Chelmer shopping centre, will be replaced with granite blocks.
Way-finding maps will be installed, a widened pedestrian crossing will be placed across Tindal Street and a semi-circle of backless benches fitted.
Shoppers will still be able to navigate the area.
Property consultant Neil Ridley said: "It will get the best effect for the city centre. These kinds of things are imperative,"
THE legacy of radio in Chelmsford will be controversially erased from its road signs in a "bureaucratic" debate over word count and safety.
The recognised "Welcome to Chelmsford – Birthplace of Radio" message, printed on ten brown welcome signs surrounding the city, will be removed when they are replaced because the Highways Agency says the sentence distracts drivers.
The ongoing dispute, lasting since Chelmsford was granted city status in 2012, could be resolved when the city and county councils meet on Thursday, January 8.
Critics believe it is the latest in a long line of assaults on the legacy of Guglielmo Marconi, who opened the first wireless factory in Hall Street in 1898 after migrating from Italy.
"It's disgraceful because what now remains of our industrial heritage?" said Marconi Veterans Association chairman Peter Turrall, MBE.
"It's a great, great pity. All Chelmsford now seems to be is housing and flats when it should be waking up to the fact that it was built for the last 30 years upon industry."
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2015 legislation states road users must not be distracted and that "safety must never be compromised".
Ex-Marconi worker of 48 years Mr Turrall, once also the firm's publicity director, believes if the city council has no choice, it could work harder to preserve heritage elsewhere.
Marconi's 1912 New Street factory is being converted into 418 homes and his first Hall Street factory recently got permission to become six flats.
"The latest decision is typical of Chelmsford, they don't wish to recognise the past," said the Patching Hall Lane resident, who believes Marconi's statue behind the Duke Street bus station should be moved to Half Moon Square beside H. Samuel.
"There could be a portable kiosk opposite Shire Hall allowing tourists to know what is available, or where the old Crompton, Hoffmann or Marconi factories were, or at the museums."
Chelmsford Community Radio Off Air Director Matt Eaves, whose team met with Marconi's daughter Princess Elettra in Italy this year, said: "I think it's fair to say that Princess Elettra would be disappointed.
"I think it's a terrible thing if they take those signs down because the whole world listens to radio."
Chelmsford Civic Society chairman Malcolm Noble said: "The civic society is firmly committed to signage generally that reflects the Marconi heritage."
With the Chronicle's help, the council appealed for new sign ideas a year ago and, hampered by the Highways Agency, it decided on an image of Hylands House with: "City of Chelmsford".
The Highways Agency approved the new £50,000 signs, but Essex County Council cabinet member for highways and transportation, Rodney Bass, said it should read "County town of Essex" too.
The Highways Agency vetoed this and city council leader Roy Whitehead will meet Cllr Bass next Thursday to discuss.
"The amount of bureaucracy involved has been huge, when all we wanted to do is to replace a few brown signs," said Conservative Cllr Whitehead, who defended his authority's efforts to preserve Marconi's legacy.
"Chelmsford City Council has clearly shown that it respects and demonstrates the Marconi heritage. There is a statue of him by the Civic Centre, we extended the museum at Oaklands to house part of the Marconi collection, we ensured his headquarters in New Street was saved and restored, the new development there is named after him, and we have the radio hut and artefacts at Sandford Mill, where students come to learn the Marconi story."
Cllr Whitehead's colleague Neil Gulliver, the city council cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: "The new design is a lot blander than we would like but we are in no different a position than anyone else in the UK."
THE widower of Jade Goody is due in court today (January 5) accused of assault, criminal damage and two counts of threatening behaviour.
Jack Tweed, 27, goes before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on four allegations relating to Thursday, October 9, last year at the McDonald's by the Boreham interchange, Chelmsford.
He is accused of assaulting Rocky Covington by beating, and using threatening or disorderly behaviour.
Tweed is further said to have used threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour against Sean Springett 'with intent to cause that person to believe that immediate unlawful violence would be used against him'.
He is finally charged with damaging cups and napkins valued at £2.50 belonging to the restaurant chain.
According to French media outlets Saint-Ettiene defender Loic Perrin has been contacted personally by Arsenal about a possible move.
The 29-year-old has played all his professional career at the French club but it seems the players' head has been turned after making contact with the London club.
Perrin was voted into the Ligue 1 team of the year for 2014 as the sole representative of his club so it's understandable there is interest in the player.
However Arsenal haven't contacted the club as of yet and Saint-Ettiene manager Christophe Galtier has said it will take a 'surprising offer' from Arsenal for the club to consider selling their experienced defender.
It's been long reported of Spurs' interest in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot but according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport the London club may have finally got their man.
The 19-year-old has only managed six appearances this season for the Ligue 1 champions and seems frustrated at the lack of opportunities he's had this season.
Their North London rivals had made contact with the player in the summer transfer window but no deal ever materialised and now reports have suggested Mauricio Pocchetino has swooped in under the noses of Arsenal.
The Tottenham manager could well be planning ahead with current midfielder Paulinho reportedly on his way out of White Hart Lane meaning Rabiot's first team chances would be enhanced.
Shawn Phillips, "Faces" (Talking Elephant TECD 268)- Legendary rock promoter once described Shawn Phillips as "the best kept secret in the music business," and the inventive Texan singer-songwriter certainly didn't go out of his way to court fame and fortune during his creative heyday in the early seventies. This 1972 album was one of Shawn's more successful offerings, scraping into the lower reaches of the American album charts with its elaborately arranged fusion of rock,pop and classical forms underpinned by guest appearances from the likes of Steve Winwood and Crusaders' pianist Joe Sample. "Anello (Where Are You)" and the beguiling bonus track "A Christmas Song" are particularly fine efforts. Michala Petri & Mahan Esfahani, "Corelli: La Follia" (Our Recordings 6.220610)- Danish recorder virtuoso Michala Petri is in typically fluent and expressive form in this splendid recital of works by Italian Baroque composer Arcangelo Corelli. The recorder enjoyed a much higher public profile when these pieces were first transcribed in the eighteenth century, and Petri is aided and abetted in her efforts to restore some well deserved credibility to this often derided instrument by the invaluable support of harpsichord virtuoso Mahan Esfahani. Chicken Shack,"O.K.Ken?" (Talking Elephant TECD274)- Chicken Shack were one of the leading lights of the British blues boom and this quirky offering proved to be the band's most successful album,soaring into the higher reaches of the charts on its release in 1969. Frontman Stan Webb's stinging, Freddie King inspired guitar work and Christine Perfect's plaintive vocals ensure that the musical content is little less than impeccable, but Webb's spoken introductions to the tracks are jarring in the extreme as he indulges in unlikely impersonations of eveyone from Kenneth Williams to the late lamented John Peel, with the massed ranks of the Stan Webb Appreciation Society chortling sycophantically in the background. The Moody Blues, "The Magnificent Moodies" (Esoteric Recordings)- This interesting archive package showcases a remastered version of the Birmingham band's 1965 debut album alongside 15 bonus tracks culled from their largely unsuccessful singles output during those far off days , including a hitherto unreleased version of the chart-topping "Go Now!." This memorable Bessie Banks cover captured the essence of the original outfit's muscular r&b influenced sound ,but they remained one-hit wonders until Justin Hayward and John Lodge joined the fold and the Moodies re-invented themselves as prog-rock visionaries in 1967 with "Days of Future Passed."
BRAINTREE Town completed a successful five-game festive season by deservedly winning 3-2 at Chester on Sunday.
The Iron fought back after conceding a goal just before half-time to collect 12 out of a possible 15 points and consolidate their mid table position in the Conference Premier.
It left a broad smile on manager Alan Devonshire's face who was clearly delighted at his side's latest performance adding: "I think we deserved the victory and again showed what this small squad of ours is capable of achieving particularly with coping with five games within 15 days.
"I had to change the players around again to give some a rest and then we lost Chez [Isaac] early on with an injury before conceding what was an unlucky goal just before the break.
"But they showed great character and determination in the second half and everyone worked hard to make sure we won and collected the points."
It was also a fine return for young striker Jordan Cox, starting his first game for almost two months because of injury, as his second half brace ensured the Iron returned home with a win.
"I'm pleased for the boy who has had a frustrating time with injury recently and I have only been able to bring him on as a substitute for short periods as he gets back to fitness," said Devonshire. "He is still young and learning the game but he took his two goals well which will give him a lot of confidence."
The Iron, keen to avenge their home defeat by Chester back in August, had started with Cox and Simeon Akinola leading the attack as Devonshire was forced to rest Charlie Strutton while Sean Marks had not fully recovered from his ankle injury picked up in the New Year's Day win over Dartford.
In what was a fairly scrappy and tame first half in front of one of the home's side's biggest crowds of the season - 1,690 - the Iron were a little unlucky to go a goal behind five minutes before the interval.
The home side's Sean McConville cut inside from the left driving a right foot shot straight at Iron keeper Nick Hamann, but it took an awkward deflection off defender Alan Massey on the way and into the net.
This season the Iron have found it difficult to come back from being a goal down but that didn't happen here. Ten minutes after the restart they were back on level terms when skipper Kenny Davis lobbed a fine shot over home keeper Jon Worsnop following a Dan Sparkes corner.
A minute later the Iron stunned the home crowd when they took the lead and again it all came from Sparkes who sent over an accurate cross straight to the head of Cox who duly nodded it past Worsnop for his first goal since late October when he netted in the FA Cup replay with Weymouth.
The home side naturally tried to retaliate and minutes later John Rooney – the younger brother of Manchester United and England striker Wayne – headed just wide at the end of a decent move.
But the Iron rearguard, again led in style by Massey and Remy Clerima, managed to keep the home forwards at bay until the 76th minute when from a corner Rooney headed the ball on to Chester skipper Matt Brown and he headed home.
Any hopes the home side would then snatch all three points were dashed within a minute as the Iron responded in fine fashion, moving the ball straight up field and again it was the busy Sparkes who caused problems for the home defence.
His fine cross could only be partially parried away by Worsnop and there was Cox on hand to pounce on the rebound to send a right foot shot into the home net.
Despite this sudden setback the home side rallied again but the Iron defence held out and manager Devonshire brought on some fresh legs in the final minutes with Marks replacing the tiring Cox and fit again Dan Walker making his first appearance since the end of October replacing Akinola.
"We knew it would be a hard game particularly as it was a fifth in such a short period but to come away and up here and win was great and all the players deserve credit for the three points," added Devonshire.
This Saturday the Iron go to Gosport Borough in the FA Trophy Second Round.
If you can't quit every item on the list then maybe pick a few and see how you go. Combine this with exercise and watch the weight come off and your health improve.
We all need a push in the New Year so start by making these changes to your diet and if you need tailored exercise support, then come along to one of our Blitz interval classes throughout Essex. Paste the following link into your URL for our full class list; http://blitzfitme.co.uk/classes.html
A man and a woman arrested in connection with the murder of James Attfield have been released without charge.
The pair were on bail in connection with the investigation into the murder on the Riverside Path in Colchester shortly before 6am on Saturday, March 29 last year.
The 19-year-old man and the 23-year-old woman were due to answer bail this week but have been told they no longer have to.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Simon Werrett, said: "The circumstances of James death, the open location he was found, the nature of the forensic and digital evidence, and the information we have uncovered so far mean that this is a complex and involved investigation.
"I remain convinced that the key to solving James' death remains in the Colchester community and I am sure that people still have information that could assist us.
"I remain confident that with the team I have and the assistance of the people of Colchester we will find out who killed James and there are a number of active lines of enquiry that we are still progressing."
James Attfield, also known as Jim, was found seriously injured with more than 100 stab wounds on the Riverside Path in Colchester shortly before 6am on Saturday, March 29 last year. He died a short time later at the scene.
The 33-year-old man from East Bay, Colchester, was last seen in the River Lodge Public House on Middleborough on Friday, March 28.
He left there shortly after 10pm but so far there have been no confirmed sightings of him after that time until he was found dying in the park on the Saturday morning.
Police are asking if anyone has information which could help the investigation to contact the incident room on 01245 282103, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or email scdappeals@essex.pnn.police.uk.
UNION Jack flag-bearing supporters of Paul Golding, the chairman of political party Britain First, insist they are not racists as they protest outside Chelmsford Magistrates Court today.
The 32-year-old, of Sprucedale Road in Swanley, Kent, is charged with harassing Munazza Munawar at her home in Hepburn Close in Chafford Hundred on April 3, last year.
He is also charged with "wearing uniform signifying association with a political organisation, namely his Britain First uniform".
He denied the two charges at a preliminary Basildon Magistrates' Court hearing in September.
But members of the group feel they have been unfairly demonised by the liberal media.
The controversial group readily admit that they may rile certain sectors of society with their provocative values, but they are quick to disassociate themselves with far right political party, the British National Party.
A spokesman for the party, who does not want to be named for fear of harassment from left wing campaigners, said: "We are not racists and we have nothing to do with the BNP.
"We just want British culture to come first and we want out of the EU.
"We believe that as a country we are capable of looking after our own affairs without interference from Brussels.
"We also want to eradicate Islamic radicalism from these shores."
Despite boasting a Facebook following of over 600,000 people, only around 20 supporters turned up to rally for their leader, most of them dressed in their Britain First hoodies.
THE leader of a far-right nationalist group has been found guilty of harassing the sister-in-law of a man linked to the London tube bombings this afternoon (January 5).
Britain First chairman Paul Golding was also found guilty of wearing a political uniform signifying association with a political organisation.
The trial at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard that Golding allegedly harassed Munazza Munawar from outside her home in Hepburn Close, Chafford Hundred on April 3 last year.
They wrongly thought it was the home of her brother Sajeel Shahid, who is said to have trained the ringleader of the 7/7 bombings in London.
On that day, Golding also wore a political uniform in the form of a Britain First members only jacket, which is an offence under the Public Order Act 1936.
Finding him guilty on both charges, District Judge David Woollard said: "It was a political stunt which was designed to further the cause of the party and to generate the kind of material which is later placed on the Britain First website."
He fined him £325 for harassment and £100 for wearing the political uniform.
Golding, of Sprucedale Close, Swanley, Kent, was was also ordered to pay £532 costs, given a restraining order banning him from returning to the Hepburn Close property for two years and must not attempt to contact Munazza Munawar during that period.
AFTER 15 years of negotiations, acquisitions and scepticism – from shoppers doubting it would ever happen – groundwork on the £120 million John Lewis development is now under way.
The sprawling 550-space Bond Street car park in Chelmsford is blocked off with hoarding at precisely midnight on Saturday.
The next time shoppers will be able to stroll into the wide expanse is in Autumn 2016, where they'll find the three-storey department store, about 20 other shops, five restaurants and a Cineworld.
Developers at Aquila, who have been planning the project since the company's inception in 2000, are celebrating a watershed moment.
"It's been such a hard effort to get to where we are," said Aquila property consultant Neil Ridley.
"It's a mixture of emotions, but largely excitement and exultation."
On the east side, shoppers can still access the back of Debenhams opposite Tesco and access Loch Fyne and Prezzo restaurants from either Waterloo Lane or walking from Riverside Ice & Leisure.
Contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, which will have about 100 workers on site daily, is scheduled to start digging up 55,000 cubic metres of soil, from Friday, January 30.
The development's south building is due to be fully erected by January 2016 and developers hope to let the brands move in by June that year.
Monsoon and Hugo Boss clothing stores, L'Occitane fragances, burger joint Bill's, Latino restaurant Las Iguanas, Ask Italian, burger chain Byron, American bar Coast to Coast, Goldsmiths jewellers, Joules clothing and Fat Face are among the names already confirmed.
It will include a 275-space underground car park.
"All these shops want to be near John Lewis, that's their goal, so it will be an exciting line-up," said Mr Ridley.
"It's hugely positive and a huge endorsement of the city. There's actually more brands who want to be in the scheme than there is space to accommodate them.
"It's a quality area of retail that Chelmsford has not had a lot of.
"I wouldn't compare it to Lakeside and Bluewater, they are regional shopping centres, whereas Chelmsford appreciates that it's a live-in city centre rather than a single-place mall, which I think is a more interesting proposition for shoppers."
Aquila founder Tony Chambers initially planned for a residential-focused development after the firm bought Aquila House in Waterloo Lane in 2000, the first of its 27 purchases around Bond Street.
Mr Chambers said: "But come 2008 when the financial crisis happened that scheme was just not viable, then John Lewis came along and said they want to join with a two-storey 'at home' store, and then they changed their minds for a three-storey department store."
The scheme, otherwise known as Phase Two – following on from Phase One centred around Prezzo and Loch Fyne – was given permission by councillors in 2012.
Contractors have since visited the site to demolish the old Natwest building and the back of Barclays, and move underground sewerage and cables.
The scheme is the biggest financially in Aquila's history.
"There isn't anything we've done that will have such a significant effect on the city centre," said Mr Chambers.
"It's difficult to stay excited for 15 years, but obviously it's good news."
Market statisticians CACI estimate the scheme is worth £67 million a year to Chelmsford, will boost its trade by 20 per cent and will take it up the UK shopping destination rankings from 57th to 50th.
But the construction, funded by US-based Pramerica Real Estate Investors, will take out one of the city's biggest car parks for 20 months.
The city council has no contingency plan but insists there is capacity elsewhere.
"We can't build this while there are people on the site," said Mr Ridley, who believes the multi-storey behind Iceland in Springfield Road is under-utilised.
"We will do it as quick as we can for the simple fact that time is money.
"Everybody wants to be open for Christmas and for retailers that is the huge thing, so we want it open in September 2016. I fully expect we will have fully built the scheme by then."
THE widower of reality TV star Jade Goody has denied assaulting a McDonald's employee and destroying cups and napkins in an alleged food fight at one of the Chelmsford restaurants.
Jack Tweed, 27, appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday (January 5) on the charges said to have happened when he and friends went to the Boreham interchange McDonald's around 3.30am on October 9 last year.
He denied assaulting drive-thru worker Ricky Covington and damaging £2.50 worth of cups and napkins.
Phil Pearson, prosecuting, said: "Mr Tweed went behind the counter and got hold of a toy that is usually in a meal.
"A large number of cups and napkins were also thrown around and this developed into food fight.
"He was told to stop messing about and his response was to start pushing Mr Covington in the chest."
Wearing a navy jacket, cream top and jeans, Tweed spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and not guilty pleas to four separate charges.
The latter two relate to an alleged incident later that night in which he is accused of confronting and threatening motorist Sean Springett at the BP petrol station with violence at the interchange services.
Tweed faces a maximum of six months' imprisonment if found guilty of the assault.
He was bailed to appear back at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court for a one-day trial on Thursday, June 4.
His bail conditions ban him from coming with a 100 yard radius of the restaurant.
Tweed, from Rous Road, Buckhurst Hill, was married to former Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother star Jade Goody.
The mother-of-two tragically died of cervical cancer in March 2009 – just a month after her dream wedding to Tweed.
It's Tuesday on the first working week of 2015 and you are most likely already looking ahead to your next holiday.
If that's the case it's bad news sadly - you have three months to wait until the next bank holiday.
Bank holidays have been recognised since 1871 and get their name from the days that banks were shut and no trading took place.
We get eight bank holidays a year, unless there are added days off for royal weddings or Queen's Jubilee occasions, and we have already used up one of those on New Year's Day.
So here are the rest of the dates for your 2015 diary:
Friday April 3 (Good Friday)
Monday April 6 (Easter Monday)
Monday May 4
Monday May 25
Monday August 31
Friday December 25 (Christmas Day)
Monday December 28 (in lieu of Boxing Day being on a Saturday)
The owners of CTZN bar in Chelmsford have offered a £1,500 reward for any information that leads to the locating of missing dad Bradley Arthur.
The 24-year-old, who lives in Drake Road, Chafford Hundred, has not been seen since leaving a party in Grove Road, Grays, at around 3.30am on New Year's Day.
Before the house party, Bradley had been celebrating New Year's Eve with friends at Orsett Hall.
Inspector Alan Blakesley, of Essex Police, who is co-ordinating the search, said: "There are lots of alleyways, sheds, outbuildings and garages in this area and we need to check all of them as soon as possible.
"If Bradley is lying injured somewhere then the sooner we can find him the better.
"The area we will be concentrating our searches on is defined by Bridge Road, East Thurrock Road, Gipsy Lane into Maple Road, and the railway lane.
"If you live in this area we would ask you to help us by checking your garden, any outbuildings you have and any nearby alleyways or garages for any sign of Bradley.
"If you find anything of note then please call Grays Police Station on 101 or if it is an emergency dial 999."
A family was racially abused and had takeaway food thrown at them on a late night Liverpool Street train to Essex.
The man, woman and three children were targeted on the 12.18am service to Colchester via Chelmsford when they were returning home to Shenfield from a day spent in London on December 7.
British Transport Police have now released CCTV images of two men they want to speak to in connection with the attack.
Detective Constable Sally Everritt said: "A husband and wife and their three children boarded the train at Liverpool Street after spending Saturday in the capital.
"As the train left London the family were abused and intimidated by a group of young men. Some of the abuse was racist in nature and take-away food was also thrust at the family.
"The family got off the train at their hometown of Shenfield but the group of men continued on the service towards Chelmsford and Colchester.
"It was one of the last trains back from London to Essex that night, and it was very busy. Many other passengers would have witnessed what happened, and I am keen to speak to anyone who has not yet come forward to police."
Anyone with information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference B9/ESUB of 05/01/2015 or contact Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
KENT County Cricketer Ryan ten Doeschate will be making his debut for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League today.
The all-rounder has taken part in all the big T20 tournaments around the world with two Indian Premier League titles under his belt.
The Big Bash League has been the one nut the 34-year-old is yet to crack but he's set to make his debut in front of a 30,000+ crowd at the Adelaide Oval when they face Perth Scorchers later today.
He comes in as a ready made replacement for Kieron Pollard and with the experience ten Doeschate has been behind him he'll be confident of making a good start.
The last time he played in Australia was roughly four years ago in the T20 season with Tasmania but he's admitted it wasn't his best campaign and hopes to put some wrongs to right at Adelaide.
ARSENAL are reportedly showing interest in Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, the Ligue 1 top scorer, to take some pressure away from Alexis Sanchez.
The 23-year-old has managed 17 league goals this term already, only Cristiano Ronaldo has more in the top five European Leagues this season.
His goals have helped lift Lyon to second in the league and just two points off the top but he's not playing European football this season, a proposition Arsenal can offer him and something he may not want to turn down.
It would take a big bid from Arsenal to lure the French star away from Lyon with big European clubs supposedly tracking the striker.
Yaya Sanogo hasn't cut it at Arsenal yet and Olivier Giroud has been in and out of the team through injury and suspension so Lacazette could fit the bill of a ready made striker to hit the ground running.
