New Colchester roundabout project update from Essex Highways

St Botolph’s Circus roundabout is due to undergo a £15.2million redevelopment with Jackson Civil Engineering being appointed in March to lead the works.

Tree-felling works on the roundabout began late February while survey works and mobilising the contractor’s team started in April.

In a fresh update last week, Essex Highways confirmed work is underway to “finalise key management documents”.

Project - an idea of how the St Botolph’s Circus Roundabout could look after the project is completed (Image: Colchester Council)

This includes a project management plan which outlines how the scheme will be delivered on time and within budget. A meeting will also take place led by the engineering firm.

A spokesperson for Team Colchester, the cross‑party partnership between Colchester Council and Essex County Council, said: “Following initial enabling works and set-up, more visible works are due to get underway shortly.

“Ahead of this, the contractor will be holding a drop-in event to explain how the works will be programmed.”

Works will continue until Autumn 2027, and MP Pam Cox has also voiced her concerns, urging the councils and contractor to ensure essential access to the city centre remains.

The project is being funded by the previous government’s levelling up fund which was awarded to the city.

The scheme will see the existing roundabout made smaller in effort to create a public plaza area on St Botolph’s Street.

Idea - a concept image for St Botolph’s Circus (Image: Colchester Council)

Works will include the removal of the existing underpasses and subways, new crossing points on each arm of the roundabout and on Stanwell Street added, improved pavement and cycle spaces.

There will also be new cycling links to promote greener travel into the city centre, enhanced landscaping and space for pop-up shops and stands

An Essex Highways statement says Jackson Civil Engineering is looking to appoint “specialist sub-contractors to deliver key elements of the scheme”.

It also said: “Procurement is currently underway for areas including traffic management, demolition, street lighting, surfacing, earthworks and landscaping.

St Botolph’s Circus vision - how the Mersea Road crossing point could look (Image: Colchester Council)

“Subject to approval by the project team, the contractor will also procure and manage the delivery of required materials, such as paving and surfacing.

“Prior to the start of groundworks, a range of surveys are being undertaken to identify and mitigate potential risks.

“These include condition surveys of nearby buildings and services, CCTV surveys of drainage infrastructure, and ecological surveys to identify any wildlife present on site.

“This work ensures that any issues are understood and managed appropriately before construction begins.”

A date has not been confirmed for the drop-in event yet.