Funding to make journeys across Colchester ‘easier and smoother’

Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are set to benefit from a major funding boost to support schemes making it easier and smoother to travel across Colchester.

The funding is part of an agreement between Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council, who have both agreed to put an additional £100,000 into the Colchester Local Highways Panel – the body responsible for recommending and prioritising highway schemes.

With the panel currently having an annual budget of around £500,000, during 2018 it will have invested £700,000 into schemes such as junction improvements, 20mph zones and cycleway enhancements.

The work currently scheduled to be undertaken includes:

• Junction improvements at Brinkley Grove Road and Mill Road
• Designing a 20mph zone with physical traffic calming features near Braiswick Primary School
• The design and implementation of footway link in Rowhedge High Street
• Providing lane destination markings and carrying out cyclist/pedestrians surveys to ascertain shared use of the road and footpath with the installation of dropped kerbing and tactile paving.at Spring Lane Roundabout
• Carrying out a feasibility study to investigate improvements to the signing and visibility.at the Maldon Road junction with Warren Lane

Cllr Martin Goss, Colchester Borough Council’s portfolio holder for waste, sustainability and transportation, said:

“Our objective is to ensure that people are able to travel across the borough as smoothly and safely as possible.

“This agreement with Essex County Council is a fantastic step forward in ensuring Colchester residents and businesses get the highways network they deserve. I am delighted we have come up with a way we can work closer together to provide even more highway initiatives across the borough.

“It also shows the commitment we have on delivering on our ambitious plans to create a Better Colchester.”

Cllr Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council and cabinet member for infrastructure, said:

“I am delighted that Colchester Borough Council is match funding Essex County Council’s additional monies to support Local Highways Panel schemes.

“The investment will help to improve roads across the borough, making travelling safer and easier for those who live and work here.”

04 September 2018