HIGHWAYS bosses have disputed claims they are set to close a busy junction in Colchester, after residents said doing so would prevent access to the hospital and cause severe congestion issues.

A temporary 'No Right Turn' restriction could be implemented at Northern Approach Road as part of ongoing works linked to the city's new rapid transit system.

If put into place, as a way to accommodate roadworks in the area, motorists would be unable to turn right into Turner Road from Northern Approach Road.

Gazette: New - the rapid transit system is being constructed alongside a new link roadNew - the rapid transit system is being constructed alongside a new link road (Image: Essex County Council)

Some residents have since expressed concerns at the prospect of the right turn being removed, should the restriction ever be implemented. 

Dec and Margaret Jarvis said: “This begs some really serious questions.

“How do we know in advance when access to Turner Road is shut down or do we just drive up to the junction and then find it is shut off before joining a horrendous queue of traffic either to go back or keep going?

“How do we gain access to the hospital? Is there is going to be a diversion in place?

“For those of us who have new appointments, pre-booked appointments, surgery, consultations, follow up, scans, x-rays, we will need to allow potentially significantly more time to get to and from either of these facilities during this road closure.”

Gazette: Roadworks - Essex Highways has said the closure would only be short and be put in place if absolutely necessaryRoadworks - Essex Highways has said the closure would only be short and be put in place if absolutely necessary (Image: Newsquest)

However, bosses at Essex Highways have now said no specific closure is planned at the moment and will only be put in place if “absolutely necessary”.

A spokesman said: “It is only planned to close the right turn if absolutely necessary and only for short periods of time.

“If possible, this will take place overnight.

“When a closure is required, we will inform local residents in advance.”

What is Colchester's rapid transit system?

The ongoing Rapid Transit Scheme has been underway for months.

It will have stops along its route, delivering services every few minutes and connecting residents with destinations like the hospital, train station, city centre, and university.

In the future, it will connect to a proposed new garden community in the east of the city, near Elmstead Market, where as many as 9,000 homes could be built over the next 20 years

The system is part of a £99million package which includes a link road connecting the A120 and A133.