Have your say walking and cycling improvements for East Hill in Colchester

Residents are being invited to have their say on the first stage of a new walking and cycling route in Colchester.

The new route will link Colchester city centre, the University of Essex and Greenstead.

The scheme is being led by us, with support from Colchester City Council’s Town Deal funding.

The consultation looks at the first stage of the route along East Hill.

Plans include proposals for segregated cycleways along East Hill, new crossing facilities, raised sections on side roads to help accessibility, new bus stops, revised parking arrangements and improved cycle crossing at the Guildford Road Junction.

Cllr Lee Scott ECC Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport, said: “This is the first stage of an exciting opportunity to better link the University and Greenstead with the centre by providing improved sustainable transport infrastructure.

“Following development of our Cycling and Walking Strategy, we know if we provide good, safe, quality links between key points in the city, and also connect them with the wider walking and cycle network, we can encourage people to get out of their car, help people to more easily access the city centre and improve health, air quality and the wider environment.”

The wider plans for the route include new cycle parking in the city centre and a planned bike loan scheme in Greenstead.

Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “The new walking and cycling scheme is a very welcome and important part of our Town Deal funding. It will make low-cost access to the city centre possible which helps ensure it continues to thrive. While enabling residents to travel more sustainably, helping access to employment, leisure and all our city centre has to offer and helping air quality and individual health and wellbeing.”

Take part in the consultation until 8 January.