Colchester: reaction to Head Street cycle only traffic light

Colchester High Steward, Sir Bob Russell, claims congestion in Head Street is being caused by the cycle lane which was built earlier this year.

Sir Bob undertook a 12-hour session of checks on the junction that connects Head Street, North Hill and the High Street, split across Monday to Saturday.

The cycle only green traffic light, which comes on automatically, is to allow cyclists to travel from the top of North Hill either into High Street or across to the cycle lane in Head Street.

Road - the top of North Hill (Image: Google Maps) He claims the cycle only traffic light showed around 40 times every hour with an average of only three cyclists an hour.

From this experiment, Sir Bob clocked only 36 cyclists in the 12-hour period and the number of times the cycle only traffic light showed “was around 480” times.

It is also alleged that the cycle green light displays for “around 20 seconds, which totals about 13 minutes every hour”.

It was revealed in June that the cycle lane was completed ten weeks late and went £140,000 over budget.

Sir Bob said: “This is another example of Essex County Council squandering taxpayers’ money on cycle lanes and the like when all the evidence shows that there are simply very few cyclists.

Head Street - the cycle lane (Image: Newsquest)

Sir Bob believes the only solution for the cycle only green light only to be activated manually when a cyclist is there.

Calling for action - Sir Bob Russell (Image: Public) Will Bramhill, secretary of Colchester Cycling Campaign: said: “Cycleways are vital to give people choice in how they travel. 

Bike ride - a cyclist using the cycle lane (Image: Seana Hughes) “Head Street does have an issue with congestion caused by parked lorries, although those problems do not last for long.

“We urge the councils to look at remedies such as timed deliveries or even an electric cargohopper system which is proven to work on city streets. 

 “Of course a substantial part of each Head Street jam is made up of car drivers who plan to turn into High Street, despite the fact that cars are banned unless they carry a blue-badge holder or require access.

“Greater control of this is needed."

Resident - Will Bramhill

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said: “Currently, around 40 per cent of all car journeys in Colchester are under 5km, which can lead to congestion.

"This cycle lane is part of our long-term aim to give residents more choice in how they travel, making the transport network safer, greener and healthier. 

“A big reason some people choose not to cycle is concerns for their safety on the road.

"This cycle facility provides riders of all ages and abilities the protection they need to travel safely and confidently.

"Like any new facility, it takes time for people to adopt it, but we have already seen a number of people making use of the cycle lane and we have received positive feedback from the public. 

“Essex Highways continues to monitor the activity of the cycle lane on Head Street.

"From August 2022 to the end of September 2024, the average number of cyclists per day on Head Street has been 402.

"Usage figures are published on Open Essex when you filter by Traffic Data and Permanent Count sites.

“The traffic lights are operational, however, there is a known issue with a sensor which is meant to detect cyclists.

"As a safety mechanism, the lights will routinely turn green for a minimum period to ensure no one goes undetected and gets stuck on a red light.

"The Essex Highways team is working to resolve this as soon as possible.

“The cycle facility is part of cycling and walking improvements across the county through Active Travel funding awarded to the council.

"With all Active Travel funding ringfenced by central government, the project does not detract from highway maintenance.

"This means funding for the cycle lane could not have been used for any other works, such as pothole repairs.”