Wivenhoe residents concerned for their safety as work on cycle path resumes

Mark Cory, Wivenhoe councillor, is fighting Essex County Council to put in serious safety measures before another accident occurs.

He said: "Essex County Council are ignoring residents and putting the safety of many pedestrians, car and bus users at risk.

“Not only have they failed to communicate the planned changes to residents, they are now making buses illegally use roads not fit for such heavy traffic."

Essex County Council began work to build the 800-metre cycle path between Wivenhoe and Essex University before Christmas, but work stopped on December 18 for the festive break.

Colchester Road will be shut between Boundary Road and Elmstead Road until March 31 while work is carried out.

Drivers are being diverted onto the B1027 Brightlingsea Road, Wivenhoe Road, Alresford Road and Rectory Road.

A crash happened last month at the Elmstead Road junction and Mr Cory and residents fear it is only a matter of time before another incident occurs.

Mr Cory said: "I contacted the County Council immediately when heard about the accident and called for safety measures to be put at the junction as a matter of urgency.

“They have yet to act and this shows a serious lack of care for residents' safety.

“Now buses are using this road, deemed in law to be unsuitable for such large vehicles, the potential for accidents increases even further."

Councillor Mark Cory

Robert lives in Colchester Road, where the work is taking place.

He said: “It’s affected me massively, I am disabled and no one will take the time to talk to me about the work over the phone.

“I have tried to speak to the workers about it but they have been told not to speak to me.

“They are messing us about and it’s just ruining my life, the stress from this is just too much.”

An Essex County Council spokesperson said it is aware of the safety concerns regarding the traffic that is using Elmstead Road and they have visited the site and will continue to monitor the situation.

They said: “When necessary to divert traffic we have to put in place a signed diversion onto roads which are of the same suitable standard as the road being closed.

“However, we have made special arrangements with the bus companies to allow them to use a shorter route to maintain as many of the local bus services as possible.

“Residents were sent a letter before Christmas to advise of the changes and we will continue to liaise with residents and businesses as the scheme progresses.

“We have tried to balance the need to progress the scheme whilst minimising inconvenience to locals.”

The official diversion route can be found at www.essexhighways.org/Transport-and-Roads/Highway-Schemes-and-Developments/Major-Schemes/Wivenhoe-Cycle-Route.aspx.