INVESTMENT into infrastructure in two areas of Colchester will better connect them with the town centre as funding arrives this year.

Greenstead and the Hythe are set to benefit from Colchester’s £18.2 million Town Deal funding which will overhaul transport in the area and make the town centre more accessible.

It comes after Colchester Council was awarded £18.2 million from the Government’s Town Deal fund to invest in projects which will directly benefit residents across the borough.

Council leader Paul Dundas told the Gazette final business cases detailing plans for each project are set to be submitted at the end of March.

Mr Dundas explained the plans will then be looked at in finer detail before the projects and their funding are officially confirmed in late summer.

Read more: £18m Town Deal funding set to arrive this summer as projects go ahead

Essex Highways engineers and partner agencies visited the Hythe this week to look at ways in which Town Deal funding will improve walking and cycling routes.

The plans will include improvements to the East Hill and Brook Street roundabout, with a vision for a segregated cycling lane in East Hill alongside a floating bus stop and pedestrian crossing.

There will be lighting installed along The Moors, a 20-acre site running along the River Colne, to encourage people to keep cycling during later hours with better infrastructure also installed.

Hythe councillor Lee Scordis said all the works planned provide a “really positive outlook” for the area.

He said: “It’s really important we link up Greenstead and the Hythe with the town centre, especially as there are a lot of students here who we want to encourage to cycle and walk.

“I am aware segregated cycle lanes have split opinion here; the ones in the town centre are the right idea but are in the wrong place to be effective.

“It is about getting them right and ensuring they are visible, accessible and users are protected from cars.

“We have to create the right entry ways and exits and use different colour tarmac so people know where they are going.

“The opportunity is there, we just have to get it right.”