Plans revealed to transform Colchester town centre with new cycle routes

Essex County Council has launched a public consultation on plans to create two segregated cycle routes across parts of Colchester.

A route would span from Mile End Road to Butt Road and would connect to a proposed rapid transit system, which will link the Park and Ride to the town centre and the planned 9,000-home garden community north east of Colchester.

It would pass through the North Station roundabout, where cyclists would have “improved segregation”.

The route continues along Station Way, the Essex Hall roundabout and along North Station Road to the Albert roundabout.

This roundabout, influenced by designs from the Netherlands, will give priority to cyclists and pedestrians with an inner ring for cars and an outer one for cyclists.

If approved, cars will remain banned from driving down Colchester High Street, but on a part-time basis between specified hours and days, with the aim of restricting traffic during the busiest times of the day.

The second planned route runs from the junction of Spring Lane through the town to East Hill.

It will have a segregated cycle way along Lexden Road.

Crouch Street graphic

The route continues along Crouch Street to Balkerne Hill, where a new crossing will be built, including the filling in of the subway running underneath the crossing.

The existing crossing on Balkerne Hill, which is staggered, will be replaced with a straight two-way cycle and pedestrian crossing.

Crouch Street is set to be revamped with additional pedestrian space and a cycleway, with the current parking spaces replaced with 14 parallel spaces.

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The pathway will be expanded by about four metres, with new seating and cycle parking provided.

The route continues along St John’s Street and Vineyard Street, ending on East Hill.

Essex County Council is using £7million of government cash to drive forward a bid to create two cycle routes in Colchester.

The authority received the investment from the Department of Transport, which announced a £175million package to boost cycling and walking.

At £7,358,700, Essex received the highest allocation of any county in England, with cycling and walking routes also planned in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood and Chelmsford.

The council is also working on plans to improve cycling and walking routes in Basildon, Braintree, Brentwood and Chelmsford.

Balkerne Hill crossing graphic

Lee Scott, councillor responsible for highways at Essex County Council, said: “We want Essex to be the walking and cycling county – a safer, greener, healthier place where we don’t automatically jump in the car, especially for shorter journeys.

“With over 90 per cent of Essex residents recently telling us that they were concerned about traffic congestion, air pollution and road safety, our ambitious aim is to make the transport network safer, greener and healthier, specifically designed for people who cycle and walk.

“With input from Essex residents, we can help transform the town centres and surrounding neighbourhoods into thriving and healthier areas with fewer cars but more people cycling and walking, allowing us all to breathe cleaner air and enjoy a better way of life.”

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “Your feedback can help Colchester become a greener, healthier, more sustainable place to live, work and visit.”

To view the plans and to comment, visit essexhighways.org/active-travel-fund.