PLANS to transform Colchester town centre as part of a £7million scheme to boost walking and cycling provision in Essex have been given the green light.

After a public consultation, Essex County Council has given the nod to plans to introduce two segregated cycle routes linking the town.

The plans include introducing a segregated cycle way on Lexden Road, from Spring Avenue to Crouch Street.

Of the two routes, one will span from Mile End Road to Butt Road from the north of the town to the south.

The second would run from the junction of Spring Lane through the town to East Hill from the west to the east.

At Balkerne Hill, a new crossing will be built, including the filling in of the subway running underneath the crossing.

The existing crossing on Balkerne Hill, which is staggered, will be replaced with a straight two-way cycle and pedestrian crossing.

More than a dozen so-called School Streets - which would see temporary restrictions in roads during school drop-off and pick-up times - are set to be introduced.

Crouch Street is set to be revamped with additional pedestrian space and a cycleway, with the current parking spaces replaced with 14 parallel spaces.

Read more: Traffic restrictions around schools and new cycle lanes backed by the public

Lee Scott, councillor responsible for highways, said: “I am delighted to see these new initiatives which will make it easier for more people to walk and cycle.

“We are confident our recent active travel consultation has given us a clearer picture of how we can deliver safer, greener and healthier benefits in Colchester, reducing traffic congestion, cutting air pollution and improving road safety.”

Sue Lissimore, chairwoman of the Colchester Active Travel Fund steering group, said: “We acknowledge there were concerns expressed about some elements of our proposals, for example, the loss of the southbound bus lane on Station Way, the introduction of the bus gate scheme on North Station Road and the loss of some parking spaces on Crouch Street.

“However, for the sake of our children and grandchildren, those of us who can need to change the way we use our streets, especially for shorter journeys.

“Creating safer, greener and healthier routes will make it easier for everybody to get around by foot or on their bike.”