A120-A133 Link Road proposals on course for 2021 planning application

Proposals to create a new Link Road joining the A133 and the A120 will be submitted to planning in early spring 2021.

The dual-carriage 50mph road has been funded through the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, set up in recognition of the need for large infrastructure to be forward-funded, to support future housing and business growth.

The new Link Road enables the creation of the new Garden Community, due to be developed to the east of Colchester, and will be complete by 2024, in line with the first new homes to be built.

Councillor David Finch, Council Leader at Essex County Council said: “The Link Road will sit on the eastern side of the proposed development, playing an important role in allowing vehicles from the garden community to access the A120 and A12.

“The benefits though, are much wider. We know there is a significant amount of traffic travelling along the A133 into Colchester, to then get to the A12. We want to reduce the number of cars travelling into the town, and part of the way we do this is through making it easier to access the roads designed for heavier traffic, so reducing issues on more local roads in the town, so making them safer and improving air quality.”

Alongside the new road, segregated walking and cycling facilities will be created, connecting into the new garden community as this is developed, as well as local lanes and footpaths. The Housing Infrastructure Funding also provides investment into the first elements of a new Colchester Rapid Transit System with plans for a transport hub to be located off the new Link Road.

Councillor Finch added: “It is important not to look at the Link Road in isolation, but in conjunction with the Rapid Transit, which has the potential to have a transformational impact on how we travel around the town.

“This is a key part of the safer, greener, healthier approach to travel that we want to create in our urban areas, further reducing the need to drive into the town by creating high quality public transport, which makes it easier not to drive.”

The Rapid Transit System will see the creation of a dedicated route across Colchester providing a service every few minutes which takes priority over other traffic. Travelling between the Park and Ride on the A12, through the town centre and into the university and new Garden Community, the new system will provide quick and easy access to key destinations around the town.

For more information on the A120-A133 Link Road scheme visit www.essex.gov.uk/link-road-and-rapid-transit.