A BUSY road in and out of Colchester is set to close for pothole repairs. 

Clingoe Hill, which connects Colchester and Wivenhoe, is expected to close for two nights while Essex Highways carries out the work. 

The date of the works has been earmarked for all of Thursday, April 6 and Friday, April 7, but Essex County Council has advised that the works could last up for up to five days.

The closure is for a 530m distance in the westbound direction from Boundary Road to the Greenstead roundabout. 

The works will be carried out from 7.30pm to 5am. 

A statement from Essex Highways Live Traffic Map reads: “The temporary closure is scheduled to commence on 6th April 2023 for up to 5 days (It is estimated to be completed on 7th April 2023.”

The diversion will be via St Andrews Avenue, Harwich Road roundabout, Harwich Road, Parsons Heath roundabout, Parsons Heath, Fox Street, Colchester Eastern Bypass, John De Bois Hill, Colchester Road, Aveline Road, Station Road, Frating Road, Slough Lane, Ardleigh Road, Hall Road, Brook Street, Parsons Hill, Brundells Road, High Street, Bromley Road, Main Road, Frating Hill, Clacton Road, Clingoe Hill and Brightlingsea Road.

The diversion route is a distance of more than 13 miles. 

Colchester and Essex County Councillor, Mark Cory, said he had been asking for the road to be repaired for a long time. 

Mr Cory said: “ There has been a few potholes on this stretch of road for some time.

“I have reported and raised them many times, Essex County Council has now realised that this area needs more repairs. They’ve already patched one next to a drain, but they will cover some more closer to the roundabout.

“I am not sure how large the repairs will be."

Mr Cory also believes Colchester should not rely on Essex Highways for its road repairs.

He said: “I believe we can do a better job managing our roads locally. If they would devolve budgets, we could control our own destiny.

“I’m happy they’ve listened to me and that they are taking action to fix the roads, but I am concerned that it’ll be a typical patch job and only half repaired.”

The Gazette has approached Essex Highways for a comment.

  • CLARIFICATION: An earlier version of this story did not specify times the works were taking place.

Essex County Council has confirmed the closure will be from 7.30pm to 5am across the two nights.

We are happy to clarify this.