Works on two major projects in Colchester set to clash

Team Colchester - a partnership between Essex County Council and Colchester Council - say the ambitious £40million project on St Botolph's and East Hill will redefine Colchester while vastly improving the area.

The St Botolph's roundabout works are set to begin in November and expected to take up to two years to complete.

Plans - East Hill is due to have two new cycle lanes with works planned to begin in January(Image: Essex Highways)

East Hill is due to have two cycle paths placed on either path, with works beginning in January.

Due to the timings these will overlap and fears have been raised it could cause significant congestion for those going in and out of the city.

But a spokesperson for Team Colchester said contractors responsible for carrying out the work must complete the work efficiently and with minimum disruption.

The spokesperson said: “When bidding for the work, potential contractors will be required to set out how the works would be delivered, the timescales and the required traffic management.

"Undertaking the works together would significantly reduce the length of time construction is taking place in the city, and the contractor or contractors would be working very closely together to ensure that the projects are phased to minimise their impact.

 “Ultimately, contractors will need to demonstrate the schemes can be delivered efficiently and effectively.

"The works will also need to be approved by the permitting team, who will carefully consider the wider impact on the network.”

But concerns have been raised by local councillors.

Councillor Lee Scordis said: "It is once again another failure of planning from Essex Highways to have two huge redevelopment projects only a few hundred metres from each other running concurrently.  

Concerned - Councillor Lee Scordis thinks the clash will result in serious congestion(Image: Councillor Lee Scordis)

"This will bring Colchester to a standstill and make people resentful of what are two positive redevelopments. 

 "It is not beyond the wit of man to work out a sensible timetable here so these two projects do not clash and I hope the right decision is made."

Councillor Dave Harris said:

Backing - Councillor Dave Harris is backing his colleague Lee Scordis(Image: )

He said: "I fully support councillor Lee Scordis on his call for more coordinated approach to the road works along St Botolph's and others.

"I like others experienced lots of traffic delays along Southway and St Botolph's which left motorists frustrated and no works going on for days.

 "I think the school holidays would have been a better time, with the work going on instead of a road block."

But Team Colchester have issued a reminder about the importance of the projects.

The spokesperson said: “Colchester is undergoing one of the most ambitious transformations in modern times.

"With over £40milllion of major public and private investment projects being completed by 2030, we’re not just improving infrastructure – we’re redefining what it means to live, work and visit here.

 “As a city, we have been hugely successful in making the case for investment into Colchester.

"The regeneration of the St Botolph’s Circus area will significantly improve the look and feel of what is an important gateway into the city, making it safer around the station area and ensuring the city centre is more accessible.

"The East Hill walking and cycling infrastructure forms part of our commitment to improving our walking and cycling network, forming part of a wider east-west active travel route, linking the University, Greenstead and the city centre."

Meanwhile a taxi driver in the area who formerly did multiple school runs in the area, Richard Hemstedt said: "The St Botolph's area is busy at the best of times, so it is likely to be an absolute nightmare and a complete waste of tax payers' money.

Unhappy - Taxi driver Richard Hemstedt(Image: Public)

"As for these works happening at the same time as the East Hill works, potentially the whole of the east and south of Colchester will hugely be impacted.

"With East Hill closed or restricted the natural alternative route would be Brook Street or Magdalen Street... and via St Botolph's.

"But this is what you get with planners who don't actually live in a place they are arranging to bring to a standstill."

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