Concerns over roadworks in St Johns Close, Colchester

Essex County Council will temporarily close the length of St John’s Close from its junction with St John’s Road to its junction with Evergreen Drive for 26 days.

The work is to allow engineers to “reconstruct the junction”.

Bollards where the road meets Ipswich Road will be knocked down and three way traffic lights put in place to manage traffic.

But concerns have been raised amount the impact of around 200 homes, parents dropping off children at St John’s C of E Primary School and funerals at St John’s Church.

Works are due to start in the middle of August and last into the start of the new school term.

Samantha Cotton lives in the street and runs her beauty business, Beau Belle Beauty, from her home.

She said: “I think if they opened it up, it would just become chaotic.

“How is it going to work for me as a business? Are my clients going to be able to get here safely?

“We don’t understand how it’s logically going to work.”

Bollards- ECC said the bollards will be removed on August 12 to create access onto Ipswich Road (Image: Claudia Bradley)

St Anne’s and St John’s councillor Paul Smith said he and his fellow councillors were “very concerned” about the impact amid concerns residents had been kept in the dark.

He said: “Clearly there will be delays, particularly as the work potentially could run into school time.

“There will be a big impact, it is concerning as this is the first residents have heard about it.

“We know the church has one funeral planned during this period, it will be difficult if you have mourners trying to turn in from Ipswich Road.

“It won’t be easy even with the traffic lights. There will be delays for residents.”

David Williams, another resident, welcomed news the bollards would be removed for access but feared it could cause traffic chaos.

He added: “If they leave a locked barrier there for the future, any emergency services that need to get into this neighbourhood can use that access.

“There are about 200 houses here with only one access point. So, if they do it right, it will be nice.

“If they do it wrong, it’ll be horrendous.”

Rachel Barrett, a resident of St John’s Close, said: “These works are a long time coming.

“My daughter can walk to school, but we haven’t had enough information about if they’re shutting the footpaths. Hopefully the bus will still run.”

HIGHWAYS bosses have urged residents to be patient while engineers carry out “reconstruction and resurfacing works” on a Colchester Road. 

Essex County Council will temporarily close the length of St John's Close from its junction with St John's Road to its junction with Evergreen Drive.

It will also temporarily introduce No Waiting, No Loading and No Stopping in that length of St John's Close.

An alternative route is available via St John's Close, Ipswich Road, St John's Road Roundabout, St John's Road and vice versa.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “Vital works are taking place on St John's Close to reconstruct the junction with St John's Road.

“This includes resurfacing St John's Close to address other defects on the road and extend its lifespan in the process. 

“Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times, with the bollards at the north end of the road due to be removed on August 12 to create access on to Ipswich Road.

“We appreciate residents’ patience as we work to ensure the road and junction are properly maintained for road users.”