Initial surveys to begin on new A1331 ahead of main works

New road will support creation of the new Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community.

Surveys are underway to develop the design of the new A1331 in Colchester, ahead of construction starting this summer.

Octavius Infrastructure will undertake detailed design work for the first phase of the new A120-A133 Link Road, the A1331. Essex County Council has appointed the firm following a tender process.

The project will see the creation of a 1.8km dual carriageway road with three junctions. It will run between the A133 and a new ‘Allen’s Farm Roundabout’.

Funding comes from a successful £99.9 million Housing Infrastructure Fund bid. This will also support the city’s new Rapid Transit System. Together, these are key first pieces of transport infrastructure to support delivery of the new Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community.

Octavius Infrastructure will be undertaking preliminary investigations and surveys on the site. These will take place at the A133 Colchester Road/Clacton Road, from this week. Works are due to take approximately two weeks. There will be a traffic management system in place, with alternating lane closures.

Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “The new Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community will provide a significant economic boost, including new housing, services and amenities for new and existing communities, but we have been absolutely resolute that this must be delivered in the right way. This means delivering the right homes, supported by the delivery of the right supporting infrastructure at the right time.

“Together with the new Rapid Transit System, the new A1331 will ensure vital transport infrastructure is in place to support the garden community and economic growth in the area.

“We are pleased to have appointed Octavius Infrastructure and it is great to see work progressing ahead of construction later this year.”

A further phase of the A1331 will in the future connect to the A120, to the east of Ardleigh South Services. Funding for this phase is to be secured as part of the planning process for the Garden Community.

Please email any enquiries about the advanced works or the wider scheme to A1331@essexhighways.org.

For more information about the scheme and details on the upcoming surveys visit www.essexhighways.org/A1331.