Colchester: Calls to repaint roundabout (From Gazette)

Colchester: Calls to repaint roundabout

9:00am Sunday 23rd November 2008 in Search By Clare Jeffs

THE disappearance of a tiny mini-roundabout at Colchester’s main rail station could lead to an accident, a local councillor has warned.

Motorists, dropping off passengers, turn round the tiny white-painted circle directly outside the ticket office to return to the main highway at Mile End.

But the erosion of the paintwork has prompted Martin Goss, one of the ward’s Lib Dem councillors, to complain to train operator National Express East Anglia.

“The mini roundabout right outside the North Station entrance is completely worn away, and you cannot see it, so it is dangerous,” he said.

“I have contacted National Express several times, and asked them to repaint this as it is on their land.

“They have said it is not high priority, and it will be done as and if funds become available,” he added.

“If it is part of the highway, it should be maintained to the same standard. It would take a few quid for someone to paint it. It is not a lot of money.”

Mr Goss said he had been told that the paint job might have to wait until the station’s redevelopment. “But that could be years away,” he commented. “They don’t care about their customers.

“I think it is an accident waiting to happen. Someone might not realise this is a roundabout, go straight out and slap into someone.”

Mr Goss said the worn-out roundabout was the latest in a catalogue of complaints he has made about the station, including faulty lighting and broken fencing round the car park.

A spokesman for National Express East Anglia said the roundabout was due to be painted this week. **today wed Nov 12** The lighting had been repaired earlier this year as part of a major £300,000-plus remodelling of North Station’s facilities, she added.

“The car park fencing has been logged, and will be done in due course. The manager has followed the correct procedure.”