Colchester crashes would fall if we had 20mph limit says campaigner

Will Bramhill, who founded the Colchester Cycling Campaign in 1990, has responded to data which identified the roundabouts which experience the highest number of injuries caused by road accidents.

The data showed that between 2018 and 2022 cyclists in Colchester were most likely to be injured at the Albert roundabout and the Colne Bank roundabout.

Dangerous – Will Bramhill said one would only cycle across the Albert roundabout if they were brave (Image: Google Street View)

Serious casualties were also recorded at a mini roundabout between East Street and Ipswich Road, and the North Hill junction with Middleborough.

Mr Bramhill dismissed the suggestion that a roundabout’s low accident rate meant it was safe for cyclists, saying the risk of a collision is enough for people to avoid them altogether.

He said: “When you first look at the data, you might think ‘there aren’t any accidents here, it must be safe’, but a cyclist would have to take leave of their senses crossing roundabouts like Ipswich Road – it’s just too fast and dangerous.”

He added the 20mph speed limit in parts of Wales had drastically reduced the number of incidents, and cited data which showed there has been a 20 to 40 per cent decrease in collisions where such speed restrictions are in force.

Mr Bramhill also praised the new design of the roundabout connecting Wildeve Avenue with Northern Approach Road as being safer for drivers and cyclists.

He said: “Essex County Council has tightened the geometry on it – there have been no collisions on that since it was reformatted a year ago.

“It slows vehicles down on approach and through the roundabout.”

Addressing the high number of incidents involving cyclists at the Albert roundabout, Mr Bramhill said: “Albert Roundabout, you can cycle across if you’re brave.

Safer – some feel the roundabout connecting Wildeve Avenue with Northern Approach Road is safer since it was redesigned a year ago (Image: Google Street View)

“There are two-stage crossings with a narrow island in between for less confident riders but that slows down your journey.

“The central island is also narrow and you come into conflict with pedestrians.”

“Those two points encapsulate the problems with roundabouts – there are some where it is bad and no one cycles them but others where you can take a risk.

“Those are the two scenarios you have.”