WORK is set to start in September on a rural cycle path to connect Wivenhoe town centre with Essex University.

The path, which will be paid for using £250,000 from the university, is part of plans to build a 777-space multi-story car park at its Wivenhoe campus.

It is hoped work will be completed within six weeks, and could be open in time for the university’s 2013 autumn term, which begins in October.

The path, which will be about 500metres long, will start at Wivenhoe fire station and run parallel to Colchester Road to the campus.

As part of the plans, a tucan crossing will also be built across Colchester Road at the Flag Pub, in order to make the road safer for pedestrians.

An university spokeswoman said: “Essex University is committed to promoting sustainable transport and we recognise that a safe cycle route between Wivenhoe and our Colchester Campus is essential to promoting bicycle use.

“We fully support this development and are keen to ensure the project progresses quickly.”

The four-storey car park, next to the university sports centre, is wanted to meet a projected increase in demand for university spaces.

Proposals to build the car park were approved by Colchester Council last year after previous proposals were recommended for refusal because of the design and no agreement had been reached to fund community projects such as the cycle path.

The money will be provided by Essex University as part of its ongoing expansion, known as the Knowledge Gateway project.

Work will be carried out by Essex County Council.