THE momentum to find a solution to Severalls' congestion problems seems to have ground to a worrying halt.
Posts complaining of traffic continue to be left on the Colchester Business Park Network's Facebook page but the enthusiasm from firms has mellowed, says Will Johnson.
The SES Mechanical Services worker is spearheading the campaign and expected to help change the attitudes of hundreds of employers to leave their cars at home.
He said: "A lot of the response we had from Colchester councillors is we need to look at getting more people to cycle and walk to work, lift share and use the Park and Ride, but what we've said is it's not safe enough to cycle.
"There aren't any cycle routes on the estate or a pedestrian crossing in Severalls Lane.
"Also we don't know how to go about that - it's not our job. We're just a company on the estate fed-up of the traffic.
"It seems like this is something which will need to be driven by us with support from the council but the difficulty is, we haven't got the time or expertise."
Will is in the process of rearranging a follow-up meeting with Colchester Council but businesses will be expected to collectively fund any initial improvements.
He added: "So we're in a bit of limbo as to where we are and what we're doing.
"It's frustrating really. Also some of the enthusiasm has died down a little unfortunately."
Highwoods residents such as Leonard Shipman, 80, are just as frustrated and want road safety prioritised.
Mr Shipman moved from Fordham Heath 16 years ago and blames the problem on the Government's lack of foresight when the business estate was first developed.
Recently he had to use his car as a shield to halt cars so he could beckon a woman with several children across Severalls Lane.
He said: "This couldn't have been the first occasion as it was about the end of the school day and nobody was stopping.
"Once the traffic had actually stopped, I beckoned her to go. It's not good enough.
"The Government has allowed this estate to be built but didn't look forward 40 years and of course, this is why we've got the problems we do now."
To support the campaign, visit Colchester Business Park Network on Facebook or contact Will Johnson on 01206 845333.
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