THE speed limit in eight roads on new estate in Colchester is set to be reduced to 20 miles per hour.

Essex Highways is consulting on plans to reduce the speed limit at the Chesterwell Estate in Mile End.

If approved, the plans will see a new 20 miles per hour zone set up across many roads on the estates.

The roads which will see their speed limit reduced are: Mandarin Way, Sunfire Way, Sapphire Crescent, Pascali Lane, Felicia Lane and Bonita Walk.

The limit would also be reduced on Maigold Avenue from its junction with Cordelia Drive westwards and in Cordelia Drive from its junction with Wildeve Avenue southwards.

A report states: "The county council is proposing to implement and to introduce a 20mph Zone Speed Limit Order to reduce vehicular speeds and improve the pedestrian environment.

"It is Essex County Council's policy that new housing estate roads are constructed to ensure, as far as is possible, that vehicle speeds are 24mph or below.

"This is done via the introduction of a 20mph zone and a variety of physical measures.

"The road on this estate has been constructed in accordance with this policy and a 20 mile per hour zone is proposed to reinforce the physical measures which includes speed tables, speed table entrance, bends and build outs.

"This order conforms to the Essex Design Guide and the Highways Act 1980 Section 38 Agreement for this development."

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A consultation on the plans runs until May 14.

Anyone who wishes to object to the proposed scheme should send the grounds for their objection via e-mail to TrafficRegulation.Order@essexhighways.org quoting reference TRAF/7502 by this date.

Chesterwell could eventually feature 1,600 homes once complete, with a new primary and secondary school, Co-op and neighbourhood centre.