Calls for seven junctions in Colchester to be made safer for cyclists

Medical staff in north Essex have joined forces with the Colchester Cycling Campaign to write to Essex County Council to ask it to address the issue.

The cycling campaign says it has identified the seven worst junctions for collisions which cause injuries to cyclists.

These are:

• The Albert roundabout

The Albert roundabout (Image: Colchester Cycling Campaign)

• North Station roundabouts specifically the Essex Hall and the Boadicea roundabout

Essex Hall roundabout (Image: Colchester Cycling Campaign)

• Tollgate roundabout

Tollgate roundabout (Image: Colchester Cycling Campaign)

• Spring Lane roundabout

Spring Lane roundabout (Image: Colchester Cycling Campaign)

• Magdalen Street and Brook Street traffic lights

The Magdalen Street and Brook Street traffic lights (Image: Colchester Cycling Campaign)

• Ipswich Road, St Andrew’s Avenue and Cowdray Avenue roundabout

The Ipswich Road, St Andrew's Avenue and Cowdray Avenue roundabout (Image: Colchester Cycling Campaign)

• East Street and Ipswich Road South mini roundabout

The East Street and Ipswich Road South mini roundabout (Image: Colchester Cycling Campaign)

The letter to Essex County Council, asking to improve the design of these junctions, has been signed by 30 Colchester medics.

Dr Paul Byrne, a consultant rheumatologist who works in Colchester and Clacton, said: “As medical professionals we encourage our patients to take more exercise and avoid sedentary lifestyles which are associated with many diseases.

“Cycling is a great form of low-impact exercise for improving people's mental and physical health.

“It is unacceptable so many of Colchester’s junctions are far too dangerous for cyclists.

“Knowing the profound mental and physical benefits of exercise, we would recommend cycling and walking to all our patients, but don’t because it is simply not safe or pleasant enough.

“The infrastructure needs to encourage exercise not discourage it.

“People should not have to risk being maimed or killed when trying to improve their fitness.”

Stuart Johnson, chairman of the Colchester Cycling Campaign (Image: N/A)

Stuart Johnson, chairman of the Colchester Cycling Campaign, added: “We have examined the statistics for injuries to cycle riders and have identified the worst junctions for cyclists.

“Essex County Council must take action to improve these junctions before more people are injured or killed.

“We are very disappointed despite the £8.5 million spent on the Ipswich and Harwich Road junctions they remain dangerous and off-putting for cyclists and walkers.

“The Safer Essex Roads Partnership has unveiled Vision Zero – the aim of which is to eliminate death and serious injury caused by road collisions in the county by 2040.

“Essex County Council is a partner in the strategy.

“We have only 16 years left to reach the target and need to be taking serious action now.”

“We are always looking at ways to make our roads safer for cyclists"

Essex Highways said it annually reviews all injuries from collisions to draw up a programme of road safety improvements.

It added how further reviews are carried out at specific locations “if police records show a pattern of collisions”.

If cyclists are identified in a collision pattern deemed treatable through remedial measures, the council said “an appropriate scheme will be put forward for design and funding”.

A spokesman continued: “We are always looking at ways to make our roads safer for cyclists.

“We are reviewing the strategic cycle network in Colchester and finalising the Colchester Cycling and Walking Infrastructure plan.

“This will set out improvements to infrastructure over the coming years and will follow Government best practice design standards.

“We are making improvements to cycling and walking infrastructure in Colchester city centre through the Active Travel Fund including as part of the Rapid Transit works adjacent to Northern Approach Road, a new 1.2km segregated cycleway and footway being constructed alongside in addition to the new busway.

“We will continue to work with local partners and groups to plan improvements to the network which improves safety and provides more sustainable travel choices.”