BRIGHTLY coloured brollies are coming to Colchester town centre after all...with the council reappointing the firm which pulled the plug on the project at the 11th hour.

The council criticised DecX Limited in March when it said it could not install 200 brightly coloured brollies above Sir Isaac’s Walk.

The Derbyshire-based firm had spent months conducting preparatory work but told the council at the last minute there were unforeseen issues concerning the suitability of the buildings to which cables for the brollies would be attached.

Tim Young, the council’s former business portfolio holder, said the authority was “disappointed” and the firm should have identified issues sooner.

He also said the firm would not be getting paid.

But Andrew Guyler, managing director at DecX, has said it is involved in the new scheme which will instead see the brollies installed at both entrances to Culver Square.

Responding to DecX being picked again, he said: “The people we work with in the council actually were completely fine with our reason and were on board to accept it and look forward to a solution.”

Mr Guyler would not expand on the financial arrangements it had come to with the council for the new project location.

He added: “There are talks between all parties involved at the moment and we are finalising paperwork.”

The project is expected to be visible in “weeks” and Mr Guyler explained why Sir Isaac’s Walk had been deemed unsuitable.

He said: “It is basically to do with the structures of the building; that’s what caused the issues originally, that’s why the location has been moved.

“There were a few things that when we got to a higher level we weren’t completely happy about and we have to put health and safety above anything we do.”

Julie Young, councillor responsible for culture, said: “Because we are at such an advanced stage with the project and have developed a positive working relationship with DecX, we have decided to continue to work with them to complete the umbrella installation soon, rather than inflate costs through an additional, more protracted procurement process.

“While there has been some additional cost in relocating the installation, including £950 paid to the Culver Square management company to cover additional technical input and documentation, the project remains well within budget.”

Colchester Council also added in a statement: “We agreed to pay DecX half the money up-front, to cover material costs, and the remainder after the work was completed. No additional money has been paid to the company.”