EXPERTS from the world-famous Beth Chatto Gardens, at Elmstead, will give a roundabout a major facelift at a key entrance to Colchester.

The Albert roundabout on North Station Road will undergo a revamp to improve first impressions of Colchester for visitors arriving by train.

Funded by Essex County Council, Colchester Council and Greater Anglia, the work will take place overnight for two weeks and will involve removing the top layer of soil from the roundabout.

Welcome - The Albert roundabout is one of the first places visitors to Colchester see after arriving at the train station. Welcome - The Albert roundabout is one of the first places visitors to Colchester see after arriving at the train station. (Image: Google Maps)

This soil will be reused at the new Meanwhile Garden at the Firstsite gallery in the city centre.

It was also designed and planted by the team at Beth Chatto Gardens working with businesses, charities and community groups. 

The topsoil from the roundabout will be replaced with sand sourced from a quarry, which will prevent weeds from being introduced. 

Beth Chatto’s expert horticultural team have also carefully designed the planting scheme for the Albert roundabout, which will need minimal maintenance and keep costs down.

The team will also be responsible for the planting.

The 'Thank you NHS' sign put on the roundabout during the Covid lockdown, will be moved to the Meanwhile Garden at Firstsite.

Lovely - The new Meanwhile Garden at Firstsite will be a calming and relaxing space. Lovely - The new Meanwhile Garden at Firstsite will be a calming and relaxing space. (Image: Colchester Council) This Meanwhile Garden was created on a disused site to provide a peaceful space in the city centre where people can enjoy a mix of ornamental and wild plants.

Colchester Council environment boss Luxford Vaughn said: “We are pleased to be working with partners like Beth Chatto and Essex Highways to make Colchester a more attractive and accessible place.

“This project is about making it more enjoyable for people who walk, and by supporting sustainable travel, we’re helping to create a healthier, more connected community.

“The improvements at the Albert roundabout and the creation of the Meanwhile Garden are great examples of how we can work together to achieve these goals.” 

While the work is being done, one lane will be closed overnight on the approach to the Albert roundabout, affecting North Station Road, Cowdray Avenue and Colne Bank Avenue.

The works are set to begin on Monday, September 16.