1 week Ago
DRIVERS have hit out at "dreadful" roadworks across Colchester which have left children getting to school late. Commuters have faced delays in the mornings and evenings on the Greenstead roundabout and Clingoe Hill. As people tried to find alternative routes they have encountered more works.
A combination of Rapid Transit System works, the children going back to school and a lane closure on the Greenstead roundabout have been described as creating the "perfect storm". Delays - residents are experiencing increased commute times (Image: Public) Issues with traffic linked to the works began when it entered the first phase back in September. Works entered the final phase in March , with Essex Highways giving an Autumn 2025 deadline, which will hopefully bring some respite.
A Colchester based taxi driver, Richard Hemstedt spoke of how difficult it was to find his way through the traffic. Fed up - Taxi driver, Richard Hemstedt (Image: NQ) He said: "It's certainly annoying and my school run this morning was a nightmare. He said: "It's certainly annoying and my school run this morning was a nightmare.
"My last pick up was at Aldi on Magdalen Street and the hold ups were dreadful. "I tried to go up Brook Street but it wasn't moving, so I went up East Hill, onto Queen Street and then St Botolph's roundabout, but it wasn't moving stationary all along Magdalen Street. "I feel I was lucky I was only 20 minutes late.
" Brightlingsea driver Callum Lee, 26, was stuck in traffic on Clingoe Hill yesterday. Angered - Callum Lee (Image: NQ) He said: "As I saw Knowledge Gateway come into sight, there were cars stationary queuing all the way back to it at 11.45am.
"The works have been causing huge disruptions for a long period of time throughout the phases of work, but no one ever seems to be working." Angered - Councillor Tim Young (Image: NQ) Councillor Tim Young said: "Yet again Essex Highways communication has been awful, no one knew about it which then means people get caught in it. "I’ve been caught in it myself and it’s a nightmare, but we’re doing all we can to solve the problem.
"It’s a perfect storm with the children going back to school, the Rapid Transit System and the one lane closed off at the Tesco roundabout, it all acts as a domino effect. "What I would advise is to leave a lot of time for journeys, I’m even getting people coming up to me at work and in the street stating how bad the situation is at the moment. "I would appeal to Tom Cunningham to get some information out there about the works and try make it so these works don’t all happen at the same time.
" A spokesman for Essex Highways said: “As part of scheduled works for the Rapid Transit System, a lane has been temporarily removed at Greenstead Roundabout so piling can take place. This involves creating deep foundations by driving long columns into the ground. The team will then be working to reinstate the lane by the end of next week.
“We are aware of heavy traffic in the city yesterday (22 April) which appears to be the result of emergency works elsewhere, with some of the traffic diverted towards Clingoe Hill.”.
