Colchester Rapid Transit

Works completed on Northern Approach Road

20/10/2025

Press Release

Works on the new rapid transit lane and walking and cycling route along Colchester’s Northern Approach Road have been completed, with buses using the new facilites.

The new bus lane was funded as part of a successful £99.9million bid to the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund. It forms part of a package of transport infrastructure improvements to support the future Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community, located close to the University of Essex.

The new lane will initially be used by Park and Ride and local bus services ahead of new rapid transit services running across the city once the first garden community homes are built.

Works completed on Northern Approach Road

What is a rapid transit system?

A rapid transit system is a transport system which has priority over other forms of transport.

Giving priority and ensuring the route connects key destinations across the city means journey time reliability, making it quicker and easier to travel.

In a thriving, growing city such as Colchester, providing high-quality public transport solutions will not only help grow the local economy, but also help reduce congestion and better connect the city.

Rapid transit in Colchester

The planned route travels from the A12 Park and Ride to the University of Essex and the new Garden Community due to be developed close by. With stops along its route and the ambition to deliver services every few minutes, this will connect new and existing residents with key destinations including the hospital, railway station, city centre and university.

And with priority measures, modelling indicates that, once operational, the rapid transit will provide a 35% journey time saving when travelling between the park and ride and the city centre and 20% between the university and the city centre.

Once fully operational in the future users can expect to see services unlike anything else in the city, with distinct vehicles, unique branding and modern ticketing and stops using the latest technologies.

Northern Approach works (Section A of RTS)

Along Northern Approach plans for a rapid transit corridor were first granted planning permission in 2006, with an initial design created in 2012.

Forming part of the new Colchester Rapid Transit system, Colchester City Council approved a revised design in 2022. The new design sees the rapid transit lane moved further from properties, along with improved walking and cycling facilities.

The new facilities opened to existing services in October 2025.

View looking south down Northern Approach Road including Dickenson Road junction - Sept 2025

View looking south down Turner Road including link to Bruff Close - Sept 2025

New transit lane and walking and cycling facilities on Northern Approach Road - Sept 2025

Northern Approach Road including Mill Road junctions - Sept 2025

Clingoe Hill works (Section C of RTS)

On Clingoe Hill a new rapid transit lane will help improve journey time reliability along this section of the route. New walking and cycling facilities will also provide links between the future Garden Community development and the city's existing walking/cycling network.

The team are currently undertaking snagging works, with the facilities due to fully open in November 2025.

Slideshow of ongoing Clingoe Hill works (Section C of RTS)

Works on Rapid Transport Section C, Clingoe Hill

Got a question?

If you have a question about rapid transit, the proposals for Colchester or any of the specific scheme works, please do not hesitate to contact the project team by emailing rapidtransit@essexhighways.org