CYCLE lobbyists’ concerns have been vindicated by the Local Government Ombudsman which says Essex County Council should have considered alternatives for a shared-use cyclepath.

The ombudsman partly upheld a complaint by Colchester Cycling Campaign on a £750,000 cyclepath and footway installed in Mile End Road last year.

As a result, the council has agreed to update and review its Cycling Design Guide and consider how to achieve more off-carriageway cycling provision that complies with national guidance.

Will Bramhill and Paul Avison, of Colchester Cycling Campaign, who filed the complaint, said they were pleased the ombudsman had acknowledged injustice has been caused.

Mr Bramhill said: “We have seen a slow but sure change in attitude by Essex County Council. We have witnessed many false dawns but we hope this fresh start brings real change.

“Essex is running out of time if it wants to properly address transport issues and try to achieve a balance that will ensure a liveable Colchester, with minimum car congestion, in the crowded years to come.

“We look forward to better working practices and a stronger working relationship between the county and stakeholders.”

Criticism was directed at several aspects of the scheme such as the danger to pedestrians and cyclists, a poor appraisal plus a conflict between the council’s then cycling strategy and Department for Transport guidance.

The ombudsman agreed there was “no detailed consideration of an on-road alternative’” and said to not do so was fault.

However, he ruled in its favour over the public consultation because under the Highways Act there is no statutory consultation duty.

The report said the council cannot be criticised for wanting to build the shared-use path but highlights a conflict between local and national cycling guidance.

He said: “We would have liked to have seen a scheme that included either a bus gate to stop through traffic along Mile End Road, a 20mph limit with remodelled car parking spaces used as traffic calming, or more green areas which would have given the road more of the character of a residential road rather than a through route.”

Highways boss Ian Gundy, of Essex County Council, said: “We are pleased this has now been resolved and look forward to working with CCC and all residents who share our ambition to have more people cycling in Essex, more safely and more often.

“In our cycle strategy we set out a clear plan including best practice design for cycling infrastructure which serves its purpose and encourages more people to cycle.

“This design work has, and will continue to, shape the council’s £50 million investment into cycle, bus and road infrastructure across Colchester to support sustainable transport for years to come and keep Essex moving.”