Colchester Station Corridor

Background

In recent years, we have been working to improve walking and cycling links aiding north-south journeys in Colchester.

In 2015 works to create Via Urbis Romanae introduced dedicated walking and cycling facilities alongside the new road, creating a link between the existing Northern Approach Road north of Mill Road and Axial Way/ A12 Junction 28 through the former Severalls Hospital site.
In 2022, the existing bus lane on Station Way was converted into a new contraflow cycle lane to help improve safety around the station and support people travelling by bike.
In 2026, new walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure was constructed on Northern Approach Road as part of the Rapid Transit scheme. This included the creation of a dedicated walking and cycling infrastructure between Bruff Close and Mill Road, providing connections to Colchester Hospital and onward travel to the Northern Gateway.
In 2026, works were also completed at the Albert Roundabout to make it easier and safer to walk and cycle around the junction and access the walking and cycling facilities on Cowdray Avenue.

To maximise the benefits of these schemes and support north-south travel by linking communities and key destinations with the city centre, we are now developing proposals to connect these routes along the station corridor.

Linking the Station Corridor

Supported by Active Travel England through funding provided as part of their grant, this scheme will connect Bruff Close to the Albert Roundabout. From Bruff Close the route will extend along Station Way and North Station Road before connecting to the newly completed works on Albert Roundabout.

The scheme will support journeys in and around the station area, as well as travel to and from the city centre

Project aims

The aims of these works are to:

Improve north-south journeys, making it safer and more convenient for residents to walk, wheel and cycle between the city centre and north Colchester.
Improve bus stop provisions on Mile End Road and Station Way through the separation of cyclist, pedestrians and bus stop users.
Connect to other recently completed schemes, to provide more consistency of journey.
Resurfacing footways, removing pinchpoints and outstanding defects.
Retain the current carriageway capacity and to not increase congestion.

What is being delivered

The scheme will provide a combination of shared-use paths and dedicated cycleway along the route. Existing footways will be improved and resurfaced, vegetation cut back where necessary, and signage installed. A new crossing point for pedestrians and cyclists will also be created across Clarendon Way.

By making use of existing footways and verges and maximising the available space, there will be minimal need to reduce road space. As a result, the scheme is not expected to affect traffic flows.

Station Way trees

To facilitate the create the space required for the walking and cycling improvements on Station Way, we need to relocate the existing wall within the Wickes car park and remove four London plane trees.

This work is subject to a street tree consultation. These trees will be replaced as part of the construction works.

North Station Road parking

On North Station Road, to make best use of the available space and keep costs and disruption to a minimum, we are proposing a 4-metre-wide shared-use path on the eastern side of the road for people walking, wheeling, or cycling. On the western side, there is a section of parking currently reserved for permit holders which will be repositioned slightly so that it uses part of the existing footway. All existing parking spaces will be retained, and a 2-metre-wide footway will remain available for pedestrians. This design maintains resident parking while improving facilities for walking, wheeling and cycling, providing a better balance for everyone.

Rapid Transit Halt

Station Way and North Station Road form part of the future Colchester Rapid Transit route. As part of these works, new-style bus stop ‘halts’ will be created, featuring new bus shelters and widened paving areas designed to support future services. One of these new halts will be located on Station Way, replacing the existing bus stop. Although the halt forms part of a separate project, the two schemes have been designed to integrate seamlessly together as is shown on the Station Corridor scheme plans.

Artist impressions

The below images shows Station Way and the Clarendon Road junction alongside an artist impressions of what this will look like when completed.

For more information about the halt and the Colchester Rapid Transit project, visit our Rapid Transit webpage.

Previous consultation

The Bruff Close to Albert scheme was included in the 2021-22 Active Travel Fund consultation. The consultation proposed a north-south active travel route to improve connections between Colchester city centre and the town's main railway station.

Support was received for the route, with most respondents agreeing that it would encourage more walking and cycling in the area.

Programme

The programmes delivery timeline is detailed below.

Spring 2026

Early design
Summer 2026

Resident update
Autumn 2026

Reviewing and update design
Winter 2026/27

Tender
Summer 2027

Start Construction
2028

Completion

Contact us

If you have any questions on Colchester Station Corridor, please contact us via email at activetravel@essexhighways.org.