New schemes will improve cycle routes in Essex

Cycling in Essex will be made safer and more convenient as a result of a series of schemes to be carried out in the coming months.

Under a new contract awarded by the Department for Transport, cycle routes will be improved alongside two of the county’s major A roads – the A12 from Witham to Marks Tey and at the Parkeston Roundabout in Harwich on the A120.

The schemes are part of a wider package of works which will start early in the new year to build or upgrade 17 cycling paths at sites across the eastern region. This, in turn, is part of a £100m national strategy to offer greater accessibility to England’s major roads and a more cycle-friendly network.

Robert Goodwill, cycling minister, said: “These new routes will transform cycling journeys along busy routes in the East of England.

“The safe and accessible cycle paths and crossing points are an important step in encouraging more people to use their bicycles to get around the region for work, visiting family and friends or for exercise.”

In a separate project, construction of the Wivenhoe to the University of Essex cycle way got underway late last month (Nov 2015).

The cycle way, which will start at Wivenhoe fire station and run alongside Colchester Road, will improve access to the University campus.

In addition to the original plans for the £825,000 cycle way funded through Essex County Council and the University of Essex, £475,000 of additional funding has been made available to widen the scope of the project to include new drainage, road re-alignment, crossing facilities, resurfacing and areas of road reconstruction and resurfacing of Colchester Road, Wivenhoe.

The works are scheduled for completion by the end of March 2016.

Finally, Essex County Council’s plans for cycling improvements in Stanway and west Colchester were revealed at a public information event at Stanway School last Thursday 10 December.

The measures include a new shared cycle/footway in Winstree Road and replacement of the footbridge across Balkerne Hill with a shared facility cyclists can use.

The plans have been drawn up to help manage the expected increase in traffic generated by housing and business growth in the area.

They are part of Essex County Council’s transformation of local highways, footways and cycleways to improve transportation and road safety.

15 December 2015