A major scheme aimed at alleviating congestion and removing “driver confusion” in central Colchester was unveiled to the public for the first time yesterday.
The Ipswich Road and Harwich Road double mini-roundabouts will be replaced with three-lane and two-lane single roundabouts respectively to improve traffic conditions on the A133 along St Andrew’s Avenue.
Entry and exit lanes will be increased to two lanes and zebra crossings will be built or become staggered to improve road safety.
The major work, known as phase two, is hoped to start in January 2018 and will cost £8-10million, Essex County Council (ECC) also revealed yesterday. The length of the work is not yet known.
Phase one will involve minor improvement works to the surrounding local road network, starting in January 2017.
Alan Lindsay, transport strategy and engagement manager at ECC, said the project will improve the “performance and capacity” of the roundabouts.
But he said: “It also takes out driver confusion. A lot of people get quite daunted at double-minis (roundabouts). This makes it simpler, the lane discipline is simpler as well, so in terms of a road safety aspect, there is a clear and understandable layout.
“Traffic management of the A133 is a big issue and we will look to minimise that where possible but there will be disruption. We will keep lane closures to a minimum, and keep disruption to a minimum, and that is something we will work through with the successful contractor.
“It’s the old cliché: to make an omelette, you have got to break some eggs. There is going to be a little bit of pain along the way, but the long term is that we are making some quite substantial improvements to Colchester’s road network to improve economic performance of the town.”
The displays were unveiled at the Rose And Crown pub in East Street, Colchester.
Public comments at the exhibition and online will be considered before the design is put out to tender.
Rodney L Bass, cabinet member for infrastructure at ECC, added: “These works will support the continuing growth of the town, by providing extra capacity on our highways.
“We recognise there will be some disruption to the travelling public while these works take place but we are investing in a transport network that Colchester needs to support both housing and economic growth for years to come.”
Ipswich Road roundabout:
- Replacing double mini-roundabout with three-lane single roundabout
- Left slip lane into Ipswich Road (South)
- Additional entry lane from Ipswich Road (South)
- Exit onto A133 Cowdray Avenue and Ipswich Road (North) widened to two lanes
- Existing zebra crossing replaced with a staggered one on A133 St Andrews Avenue
Harwich Road roundabout:
- Replace double mini-roundabout with two-lane single roundabout with HGV run-over area
- Exit increased from one to two lanes on A133 St Andrews Avenue
- Formalised dualing in both directions on A133 St Andrews Avenue
- Widened exit to two lanes onto A133 St Andrews Avenue
- Pedestrian crossing replaced with zebra crossing on Harwich Road (south)
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