COLCHESTER Council will have missed out on income of £257,000 after profits at its sports and leisure facilities were hit by the Ipswich Road works.

Documents have revealed the council expects the shortfall by the end of the financial year.

Lifestyles memberships for Leisure World are expected to be down £41,000, pools income down £95,000 and swimming lessons income down £14,000.

There are also shortfalls of £38,000 for Zoggs’ sales, £58,000 for catering and £28,900 on the car park in Cowdray Avenue.

The document showed income from beauty therapy, Aqua Springs, the Activa Gym and its centre at Tiptree is forecast to “hit or slightly exceed” targets.

Gazette:

  • Leisure World in Cowdray Avenue

Colchester Council has put the projected shortfall down to the economic climate and the Ipswich Road works.

Essex County Council’s £10 million revamp of Ipswich Road and Harwich Road began in September last year.

A number of unforeseen problems have meant the works are due to overrun, with completion now expected next summer.

A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “Contributing factors to the shortfall in sport and leisure income include the current economic climate and prolonged roadworks on the Ipswich Road. We have seen a significant drop-off in customer numbers, since the roadworks started last year.

“There are currently a number of offers in place to attract local residents and visitors to Colchester to use our fantastic facilities.

“Exciting offers will continue to be put in place over the coming months.”

Ipswich Road north and Cowdray Avenue have both now reopened to two lanes and two lanes of traffic are able to move around the roundabout.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “The A133 Ipswich Road/Harwich Road roundabout scheme will reduce congestion and improve access to all local facilities and businesses for many years.

“We recognise the works have caused significant inconvenience to drivers, particularly at peak times.

“These routes were always busy and would have become difficult without these widening works.

“Eurovia, the contractors on site, have done everything they can with signs and online information showing routes to local businesses and emphasising those businesses are trading as normal.”