Colchester Northern Approach Road completion delayed

Essex County Council appointed the construction company John Sisk & Son to undertake the construction alongside the A134 Northern Approach Road last year. 

The works included a new busway, signals and upgrades of the junctions along the corridor, as well as walking and cycling facilities. 

Promised was a finish in spring or summer this year, but the council has now confirmed that the completion date will be at the end of the year. 

Scheme - the rapid transit system is being constructed alongside a new link road (Image: Essex County Council) (Image: Essex County Council)

Despite stating that the scheme is progressing “well”, the developers came across unexpected issues, which caused the delay. 

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We are working closely together with Colchester to deliver a £120 million programme to transform the city’s transport links for the next 100 years.  

“Once open, the new Colchester Rapid Transit System will provide a reliable and convenient way to travel, supporting faster journeys across the city. 

“Works across the new Rapid Transit System route continue to progress well. 

“We have been working alongside the contractor to minimise the impact of construction on local residents, including reviewing the work taking place at night for key activities.  

“During our works on Northern Approach, we have identified unexpected underground utilities, drainage and manholes which have required changes to the delivery programme. Having resolved these issues, we now expect the works to be completed by the end of 2024.” 

The rapid transit system will have stops along its route, delivering services every few minutes and connecting residents with destinations like the hospital, train station, city centre, and university.

In the future, it will connect to a proposed new garden community in the east of the city, near Elmstead Market, where as many as 9,000 homes could be built over the next 20 years.

The system is part of a £99million package which includes a link road connecting the A120 and A133.