Category Archives: Development

Northern Approach Road bus lane work commences January 2023

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𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 (𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔)

The proposals for Colchester’s new Rapid Transit System (RTS) across the borough will start to come to fruition from the week commencing 16th January when Colchester and Essex Councils begin work on the scheme.

This phase of the RTS will implement a segregated bus lane from/to the A12 from/to the centre (and eventually beyond) and will also see a segregated cycle lane and pedestrian infrastructure, as well as green spacing. The initial works will prepare for this first phase. There will be traffic management in place during this period up until end of February (not closures), although this is limited to 10am-3pm to avoid peak travel time.

The mature trees along the NAR (yellow storage side) will mostly be removed with the promise of some being replaced and some of the mature trees being replanted.

Click below for full details of the plans

https://www.essexhighways.org/highway-schemes-and-developments/highway-schemes/multi-district-schemes/a120-a133-link-and-rapid-transit

https://d0cs.colchester.gov.uk/Publisher/mvc/listDocuments?identifier=DC&ref=222144

Northern Approach Road bus lane

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The planning application for the Northern Approach Road bus and cycle lane has finally been submitted for planning approval by Essex County Council.

Colchester Council planning committee will be the final arbiters on the scheme approval. Cllr Martin Goss called the scheme in for their approval as some
concerns are raised about the design.

Although the bus lane has been known about since the inception and build of the houses on the Northern Approach Road development in 2003 the whole design has changed as it now includes dedicated cycle lanes.

Some of the main concerns raised include the noise levels which will exceed legal limits of 68DB in places. The entire 8 foot high acoustic fence will be moved within meters of housing blocking out natural light and over 60 London Plain trees will be felled which have over 20 years of growth.

Essex County Council also propose removing a crossing at the southern end of the Northern Approach Road.

All of these issues have been highlighted as being totally unacceptable.

To comment or views the plans please visit https://www.colchester.gov.uk/planning-app-details/?id=b61d4bf2-54f0-eb11-bacb-000d3ade7c07#ValidationSummaryEntityFormView