COLCHESTER town centre is set to be transformed as part of £7 million plans to boost walking and cycling across Essex.

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

Of the two routes, one will span from Mile End Road to Butt Road from the north of the town to the south.

The second would run from the junction of Spring Lane through the town to East Hill from the west to the east.

Here is what we know about the routes.

North to south

Gazette:

  • How North Station Road could look 

The route is planned to connect to the planned “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.

At this roundabout, crossing changes will be introduced which will give priority to cyclists and pedestrians.

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.

Read more:

West to east

Gazette:

  • How Crouch Street could look

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.

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.

Gazette:

  • The new crossings at Balkerne Hill

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

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.

What has the council said about the plans?

Essex County Council is using £7million of government cash to drive forward the 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.

Lee Scott, councillor responsible for highways, said: “We want Essex to be the walking and cycling county – a safer, greener, healthier place where we don’t automatically jump into the car, especially for shorter journeys. With over 90 per cent of Essex residents telling us they were concerned about traffic congestion, air pollution and road safety, our aim is to make the transport network safer, greener and healthier, specifically designed for people who cycle and walk.

“With the input from Colchester residents, we can help transform the town centre and surrounding neighbourhoods into thriving and healthier areas with fewer cars but more people cycling and walking.”

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

How do I comment on the proposals?

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