Brook Street in Colchester to close for five days from Monday, June 14

Brook Street will close completely during the day for the rest of the week so the pavements can be replaced.

A diversion route will be implemented whilst the road closure is in place.

Here is what we know about the closure:

Why is Brook Street closing?

Brook Street in Colchester to close for five days from Monday

Essex Highways is set to repair the pavements in Brook Street.

The closure is needed to ensure the safety of the public as well as workforce whilst works are completed.

An Essex Highways spokesperson said: “The pavements in Brook Street are well-used and are worn and damaged in places.

“Therefore we are carrying out a full repair and improvement.

“Crews will patch the pavements to level them and will then use slurry sealing to quickly spread a hard-wearing waterproof top layer to provide an even, slip-resistant surface that should last for years.

“We have to close the somewhat narrow road to ensure safety, particularly for the staff working there, but also to allow machinery to be deployed.”

Pedestrians and emergency vehicles will still be allowed access and an Essex Highways spokesman said urgent deliveries would be managed.

Essex Highways says cones and barriers will be removed outside of working hours of 9.30am and 2.30pm.

The spokesman added: “Pedestrians can use the road during the closures and emergency services will have access at all times.

“If residents do need urgent deliveries or other access to their property, our staff will ensure that is managed, but there may be some delays while machinery and equipment is moved.”

Read more:

• Brook Street in Colchester to close for five days next week
• New calls for permanent closure of Brook Street, Colchester

What is the diversion route?

Whilst the closures are in place, between 9.30am and 2.30pm each day, drivers heading towards New Town or the south of the town centre will be directed on to Greenstead Road and over the East Gates railway crossing.

Here is the official 12-step diversion route:

1. Head east on East St towards The Chase
2. Go through one roundabout
3. Turn right onto Greenstead Rd
4. At Greenstead Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto St Andrew's Ave/A133
5. At Greenstead Roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Colne Causeway/Elmstead Rd/A134
6. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Eastern Approach/A134
7. Continue to follow Eastern Approach
8. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Colne Causeway/A134
9. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Hythe Quay/A134
10. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Maudlyn Rd/A134
11. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Maudlyn Rd/A134
12. At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Hythe Hill/A134 continue to follow A134

The route is 3.8km, or almost 2.5 miles, long and will be in operation in both directions.

Why is the closure likely to cause problems?

Brook Street in Colchester to close for five days from Monday

Brook Street is one of Colchester's busiest roads and a notorious pollution hotspot.

The most recent audit found it had 50.5 micrograms per cubic metre of air.

The average level must be below 40 to meet Government air quality targets, the limit deemed safe by the World Health Organisation.

The audit found 12 places in Colchester where the average level of nitrogen dioxide exceeded 40 with the worst offending location being Mersea Road where one section gave a reading of 52.4.

Residents of the street in the past have called for the road to be closed to through traffic permanently in a bid to reduce the pollution and congestion in the street.

Find out more here.