WORK is well underway on a controversial cycle lane, with Essex County Council’s active travel scheme continuing to divide opinion across Colchester.

The new lane, which runs through Head Street, will be 3.5 metres wide and 212 metres long once completed.

According to County Hall’s plans, the Head Street junction with the High Street will have traffic signals installed solely for cyclists, and nearby pedestrian crossings will be widened.

However, the plans have not received widespread approval, with some pointing to the reversal of Essex County Council’s decision to implement a cycle lane in Headgate as evidence the latest plans, too, will backfire.

Gazette: Project – Essex County Council is putting money into active travel schemes across the county, including cities like ChelmsfordProject – Essex County Council is putting money into active travel schemes across the county, including cities like Chelmsford (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Sir Bob Russell, who has been sceptical about the advantages of cycle lanes in Colchester, argued the narrowing of the pavement in Head Street to accommodate a new cycle lane showed a lack of foresight from the council.

Essex County Council has denied pavement space has been reduced because of the new lane and said the pavement would continue to follow the highway design standards.

Sir Bob said: “It says something when Essex County Council states it is not narrowing the pavement when it is.

“It just shows how detached County Hall in Chelmsford is when it comes to highways matters in Colchester.

“They don’t know what they’re doing.”

Sir Bob added surveys he had undertaken showed pedestrians vastly outnumber cyclists on Head Street, but Essex County Council has responded by saying a greater variety of choice for travel will help relieve congestion in the city centre.

Gazette: Sceptical – Sir Bob Russell has described the schemes as 'financial madness'Sceptical – Sir Bob Russell has described the schemes as 'financial madness'

A spokesman for Colchester Cycling Campaign added the new lane would help Head Street feel less hostile.

He said: “At the moment Head Street is a busy and hostile place for cyclists who are forced to mix with buses, taxis and private vehicles which is a frightening prospect for many on two wheels.

“We won't, however, see the full benefit of lanes such as this until they join up to form a coherent network of safe and attractive routes.”

Essex County Council received a £7 million grant from the government in 2020 to implement sustainable transport schemes across the county.