Colchester: Stadium 'may not wait for junction' (From Gazette)

Colchester: Stadium 'may not wait for junction'

Work could start on Colchester's community stadium before a new A12 junction is built, under the new plan to deliver the facility within two years.

The Gazette revealed yesterday how a deal had been struck which could see Colchester United playing at Cuckoo Farm by the start of the 2006/7 football season.

Colchester Council today revealed details of the move.

Previously, it was thought the A12 junction to be paid for by developers wanting to build at the Severalls Hospital site would be needed before the ground could be created.

But, as the new road is unlikely to be built for several years, council bosses now plan to forge ahead without waiting.

Leader John Jowers told the Gazette: "I think we have used a bit of intelligence. The idea always was that the new roundabout would serve the stadium - which it will in the end - but there is no reason why we can't build the stadium first."

At a meeting between the council, the football club and its community sports trust yesterday, details of how the stadium will be paid for were also agreed.

So far, more than 8,000 people have signed the Gazette's Community Stadium Now! campaign.

More in today's Evening Gazette

Published Thursday, November 18, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette