Welcome to the Highways Service Information Centre
Works to improve walking and cycling on East Hill in Colchester are set to get underway later this month, following the appointment of Octavius Infrastructure as the main contractor.
Ahead of the start of the main works, Openreach will be undertaking activity to relocate four poles on the southern side of East Hill, between Priory Street and Guildford Road. These works are scheduled to begin on 8 June and are expected to last approximately two weeks.
During this period, there will be short-term parking suspensions and temporary traffic management measures within the working areas.
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The page below sets out details on the East Hill works being undertaken by Octavius Infrastructure. The works are expected to take up to 12 months and are scheduled to be completed in mid-2027.
The team are working closely with the St Botolph’s Regeneration project team, as well as Colchester City Council to ensure works are aligned. For the latest on the St Botolph's scheme visit www.essexhighways.org/st-botolphs-circus.
To receive newsletter updates on both schemes please email colchestercitycentre@essexhighways.org
We want to provide residents with more choice in how they travel and have been developing proposals to better connect key areas of the city by improving walking and cycling options.
One of the key journeys we have identified is an east-west route connecting the City Centre to the University, Greenstead and ultimately the new Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community.
Travelling along East Hill, before crossing into the Moors at East Bay and continuing to Haddon Park, the Hythe and Greenstead Road, the dedicated route will then cross Colne Causeway. From there, it will head to the University through Greenstead or, in the future, continue on to the new Garden Community. It will also connect with existing cycle routes, such as the Wivenhoe trail and National Cycle Route 51.
Recognising the opportunity to make it safer and easier to walk or cycle into the city centre, Essex County Council and Colchester City Council have successfully secured funding from Active Travel England, the national agency for Active Travel, and the Town Deal initiative, to help deliver the route.
For the section of route into the city centre, we are delivering new walking and cycling infrastructure on East Hill, making it safer and more accessible, while carefully respecting and enhancing the character of this conservation area.
Our plans have been shaped by engagement with local businesses, services and the wider community. We are grateful to everyone who contributed their views, which have directly influenced the improvements we are bringing forward.
The scheme will introduce new high-quality walking and cycling infrastructure along East Hill supporting journeys into and from the city centre.
Managed parking changes, retaining key spaces near the church while ensuring continued access for deliveries, loading, unloading and Blue Badge holders.
A new 20mph speed limit along East Hill
Click on the plan below to see the proposals in more detail
In April 2026 Octavius Infrastructure were appointed as lead contractor for delivery of the East Hill element of the route. For any queries about the works, please email easthill@essexhighways.org.
The route will be delivered in phases, with further details added to this page as the project progresses.
From East Hill, the route passes through East Bay Mill development, continuing via the allotments onto the Moors, before reaching the residential area of Haddon Park.
At Hythe Station Road, cyclists can join National Cycle Route 51 by turning onto Hawkins Road, or continue the route by turning right onto Greenstead Road.
On Greenstead Road, cyclists will travel on-carriageway alongside traffic. The existing zebra crossing will be retained, and a new parallel crossing (for pedestrians and cyclists) is proposed at the roundabout adjacent to Tesco.
This crossing will enable movement into Greenstead by crossing Greenstead Road, or eastbound travel across Colne Causeway. A toucan crossing (for both pedestrians and cyclists) is already in place here, providing access to Elmstead Road and the university campus.
Alternatively, the new staggered crossing at the top of Clingoe Hill links to the cycle infrastructure along Clingoe Hill, developed as part of the future Rapid Transit System. This will improve access to Avon Way and Greenstead, as well as onward routes to the University, the Knowledge Gateway, and the future Garden Community walking and cycling network.
East Hill layout plan - PDF(5.2MB)
Consultation report for East Hill LCWIP4 proposals - PDF(2.0MB)
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