Colchester man protests over new Albert Roundabout revamp

Tony Bland, of Albert Street, has slammed Colchester Council for spending thousands of pounds on revamping the Albert Roundabout in North Station Road.

Colchester High Steward Sir Bob Russell had already revealed through a freedom of information request that the work at the Albert Roundabout cost £93,334.

The project was carried out by the famous Beth Chatto Gardens, and funded by Essex County Council, Colchester Council, and rail operator Greater Anglia.

Revamped - Albert Roundabout (Image: Sir Bob Russell) The aim was to improve the first impressions of visitors arriving by train.

Passengers arriving on Friday would have seen Mr Bland apparently sunbathing in the middle of the roundabout.

As it was a sunny day, he set up a deck chair, parasol and table of drinks to enjoy the beach-like conditions.

All set up - Tony Bland (Image: Tony Bland) He said: “I am frustrated with a lack of transparency in the council, I find that there are other things that need doing in and around our city which are worthy of investment.

“Yet often the response from members of council I have spoken to is there is no money.”

The roundabout’s topsoil was replaced with sand to prevent weeds growing.

Roundabout - another image of Tony Bland on the roundabout (Image: Tony Bland) But as the founder of a campaign dedicated to fixing the Middle Mill Weir Bridge in Lower Castle Park, Mr Bland believes there are more important things to spend money on.

He said: “There are the Lower Castle Park toilets which have been closed permanently as the council doesn’t wish to spend money to keep them open.

“It is quite frustrating. Surely the council could have funded that, but they have invested money in this roundabout project.

“Some people don’t like it and others say it looks like a cat litter tray. Where was the public consultation process for it?

“The council ought to be supporting other projects such as the weir which collapsed into the river. That is hugely frustrating for people.”

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “We appreciate the opportunity to address the resident's concerns regarding the Albert Roundabout project and to provide clarity on the council’s decision-making and funding processes.

“The Albert Roundabout redevelopment is a key element of the long-term Fixing the Link initiative. This project has been ongoing for nearly nine years, with extensive public updates and involvement at every stage.

“The funding for this project comes from a designated legacy fund contributed by Colchester City Council, Essex County Council, Greater Anglia, and the Safer Colchester Partnership.

“These funds were specifically allocated for the Fixing the Link initiative and cannot legally or practically be redirected to other projects or services, such as park toilet maintenance or weir repairs.

“The planting scheme, developed in collaboration with the renowned Beth Chatto Gardens, was designed with sustainability in mind, featuring plant species suited to our increasingly dry climate and reducing the need for excessive watering and maintenance.

“While the planting is currently in its early stages, its full impact will only become evident after a couple of summer growing seasons. It is too early to draw final conclusions about the roundabout’s overall aesthetic or ecological contributions.

“Additionally, features such as the "brick circles" were included to support local biodiversity. While aesthetic opinions will vary, the project aligns with our goals of creating a welcoming and environmentally considerate urban space.

“Regarding other infrastructure concerns, such as the Lower Castle Park toilets and the weir structure, we remain committed to addressing these issues within the constraints of our budget and legal responsibilities.

“The challenges of funding local services are significant, but we continually explore external funding opportunities, including national lottery grants and Section 106 agreements, to support critical projects.

“As we progress with initiatives like Fixing the Link, we are committed to transparency, value for public funds, and ensuring Colchester remains a vibrant and attractive city for residents and visitors alike.”