Colchester Walking, Cycling and Wheeling - University to the City Centre

We have considered other ways of making this journey but the safest route, and most likely to be used year-round, is along East Hill. To help with this, some physical changes will be required - creating a better balance for all types of users.

This area is also in a conservation area, so we have made sure that all changes complement and enhance the local area.

We recognise that East Hill has a number of businesses and services, and the feedback we have received from these, as well as people who use East Hill has helped us to shape our proposals. We would like to thank everyone who shared their views.

Our original idea included the following physical changes:

• The introduction of new cycle lanes along the length of East Hill
• Impovements to the bus stop infrastructure, including new shelters, longer raised kerbs and real-time bus information
• The creation of 'floating' bus stops
• The removal of existing parking, with some retained spaces close to the church and the introduction of new waiting restrictions that will still allow deliveries, loading and unloading and blue badge holders to park
• Raised sections of footways on side roads to make them easier to cross
• Improvements to footpaths
• New crossing for pedestrians and cyclists
• Changes to the Guildford Road junction

Consultation

In 2023 we consulted on our proposals, receiving 600 responses. We also met with a number of local groups and organisations who set out their views on the proposals. The results of the consultation can be found in our consultation report.

Following this consultation, we published a statutory ‘Traffic Regulation Order’ (TRO) in early 2024. A TRO is a legal process required when the Highways Authority is proposing to make certain changes. This process provided another opportunity for residents and businesses to share their support/objections. 

Updated design

As a result of the feedback we received, we needed to make some changes to the initial designs. These changes focused on improving safety, increased consideration of different access needs and the importance of East Hill as a bus route.

The main changes to the original design are:

• The removal of 'floating' bus stops, with increased shared use space at bus stops.
• Bus stops on the south side of East Hill combined and moved away from the junction with Queen Street.
• A new raised footpath crossing Priory Street to slow exiting vehicles, with the Zebra crossing upgraded to a Parallel crossing to allow it to be used by cyclists.
• Tourist coaches relocated away from East Hill to reduce congestion.
• Natural stone paving to be used inside the city walls to complement the existing look and feel of the conservation area, with old paving reused to repair the footway to the east to reduce costs and waste.

Click on the plan below to see the proposals in more detail

East Hill - Next steps

The revised design means we needed to undertake another Traffic Regulation Orders consultation. We are currently reviewing any outstanding comments and considering if further changes to our designs are required.

Following this process, we expect to tender for a contractor this summer, with work expected to start early in the new year. Once a contractor is appointed, they will be required to set out how the works will be sequenced, ensuring minimal disruption and considering other works going on in the area.

For any queries about East Hill or the wider University-City Centre route, please email  activetravel@essexhighways.org.

Wider route proposals

The route will be developed in stages. Details on the wider route will be added to this page as they are progressed.

From East Hill, the route travels through the East Bay Mill development to the allotments and onto the Moors, reaching the residential area of Haddon Park.

Turning onto Hythe Station Road, cyclists can access the National Cycle Route 51 by turning onto Hawkins Road or will be able to continue on by turning right onto Greenstead Road.

At this point, cyclists will travel with the traffic on Greenstead Road. Alongside the existing zebra crossing, which will be retained, we propose to install a new parallel crossing at the roundabout adjacent to Tesco. 

This will allow you to cross Greenstead Road and head into Greenstead, or for eastbound travel to cross Colne Causeway, where a new toucan crossing (a crossing allowing for pedestrians and cyclists) has already been installed, enabling access to Elmstead Road and the university campus.

Alternatively, a new staggered crossing point at the top of Clingoe Hill, will connect the route to a new cycle facility along Clingoe Hill being developed as part of the future Rapid Transit System infrastructure, this will improve access onto Avon Way and into Greenstead, or to travel onto the University and Knowledge Gateway and, ultimately, connect into the future Garden Community walking and cycling network.