Controversial Colchester East Hill cycle lane work 'delayed'

Work on the East Hill cycle lane was due to begin next month, coinciding with redevelopment of the junction at St Botolph's Circus.

That sparked fears it would cause major congestion.

Team Colchester - a partnership between Colchester City Council and Essex County Council - now says the work looks set to be delayed but insists the scheme will benefit the city.

A spokesperson said: "We are following due process - no decision has been taken to award a contract or commence works at this stage.

“Colchester’s appetite for cycling is growing, and the case for this scheme is not to cater only for today’s cycling levels, but to enable safe and connected travel so more people – including less‑confident riders – can choose to cycle for everyday journeys.

The spokesperson said the plan will make it easier and safer for cyclists and pedestrians to get from the city centre to Greenstead and Essex University.

The cycle lane will include the removal of parking spaces on East Hill near the junctions with Land Lane and Eaglegate West and the reduction of the speed limit to 20mph.

READ MORE: Residents react to forthcoming St Botolph’s roundabout works

Colchester Civic Society has said it is concerned the shared use footway, including bikes and e-cargo, is directly outside the main pedestrian entrance to both GP surgeries on the road.

John Salmon, of the group, said if the plans coincide with the redevelopment of the junction at St Botolph's Circus it will cause considerable congestion.

OMC Investments, the owner of Greyfriars hotel on the High Street next to East Hill, said it has invested about £16million into this part of Colchester.

As part of the investment, OMC commissioned professional road traffic surveys of East Hill over a period of seven days.

The surveys found between 157 to 261 cyclists in total used East Hill over a 24-hour day.

The hotel’s owners said many businesses and their customers operating on East Hill would be severely compromised by the scheme.

GPs - Councillor Mark Goacher said vulnerable GP patients were at risk (Image: Steve Brading)

Ward councillor Mark Goacher said he had long-standing concerns about the lane designs, saying: “I don’t like shared spaces - they are dangerous to pedestrians.

“At least this isn’t three-way – cars, bikes and pedestrians. I was nearly run over by a car on one in Leicester.

"However, with this one, it increases the danger of pedestrians and bikes or scooters colliding, especially if near a surgery frequented by older or infirm residents. So, it’s the shared space I don’t like.”

Mr Goacher, who has never owned a car, said in general cycle lanes are positive.

He added: “The cycle lane in Head Street caused a lot of controversy yet it is much used now by Sixth Form College students and staff, and has made no negative difference to pedestrians.”

Supportive - Councillor Lee Scordis supports the cycle lane (Image: Submitted)

Old Heath and the Hythe councillor Lee Scordis said as a driver and cyclist he supports the scheme.

Mr Scordis said in Colchester a major issue is how more than 70 per cent of daily car travelling is under three miles.

He said: “As it stands the Hythe Moors cycle path is one of the best-used cycle paths, but it's completely disconnected from East Street heading to the city centre.

“My biggest concerns are the clashes with the St Botolph’s works and this should have been programmed much more pragmatically considering work began on this in 2021.”

Responsibility - Councillor Mark Cory said he would rather have a more regional highways making decisions than Essex Highways (Image: Submitted)

Wivenhoe councillor Mark Cory said though the lane is not in his ward, he is supportive of more cycle paths in Colchester and getting the existing ones to better connect.

Families - Councillor Julie Young said they need safe routes for families to cycle in (Image: Steve Brading)

Greenstead councillor Julie Young said: "Essex pedal power are giving out 700 bikes to Greenstead families and we need safe routes for families to be able to use.

"Timing is of course an issue because of the scheduling of St Botolph's, but I do support cycle lanes going in which should encourage more cyclists from the east of the town.

The project, which is being funded by Active Travel England and Colchester Council’s Town Deal bid, was expected to start in January meaning it would coincide with major works to transform St Botolph’s roundabout.

The works to St Botolph's roundabout are expected to last a year with full road closures being planned for night-time to avoid disruption.