Project included the creation of a rapid transit bus lane, as well as new walking and cycling infrastructure, helping cut congestion and improve journey times into Colchester.
Works on a new rapid transit lane and walking and cycling route along Colchester’s Northern Approach Road have been completed, with the first buses set to use the new facilities this week.
The new bus lane was funded as part of a successful £99.9million bid to the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund. It forms part of a package of transport infrastructure improvements to support the future Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community, located close to the University of Essex.
The new lane will initially be used by Park and Ride and local bus services ahead of new rapid transit services running across the city once the first garden community homes are built.
Suffering from a number of initial delays, the works were finally due to be completed earlier this summer. However, sections of the route needed to remain closed following the discovery of damaged drainage.
The new infrastructure stretches from Mill Road to Bruff Close. It links existing bus priority lanes to the north and south, and includes technology to enable buses to trigger signals and gain priority over other traffic. This will allow them to avoid queues to proceed rapidly and unimpeded along the corridor.
The works have also seen the creation of a dedicated high-quality new footpath and cycle track, enhanced boarding areas and a large-scale landscaping programme.
Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “I would like to thank residents for their patience while these works were carried out. We share local frustration with the unacceptable delays and shifting deadlines, and we have been absolutely resolute that the works are completed to the highest possible standard. As a growing city with significant levels of housing and business growth planned over the coming years, it is critical that we manage and adapt our transport network and, in particular, support people to use public transport to access the city centre.”
Councillor McKinlay, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Communities, Economic Growth and Prosperity, added: “I am very pleased that we have reached the stage where we can fully open the new transit lane to existing services, as well as see the fantastic new walking and cycling routes. These will make it much easier to travel east/west across the city. Alongside the works on Northern Approach, construction has also been completed on Clingoe Hill, with a new bus lane due to open in early November.”
Further works on new Rapid Transit bus stop ‘Halts’ are due to be undertaken at various locations in the new year.
For more information about the Rapid Transit System, visit www.essexhighways.org/colchester-rapid-transit.
Issued on behalf of Essex County Council
