Kevin Bentley says Ipswich Road works will get town moving

Kevin Bentley, ECC

Firstly, let me start by saying I am very sorry that these works are causing many people so many delays.

However, in order to cope with the current and future growth of Colchester this work is essential.

Let me explain why and how we will go about this in the fastest way possible on what is already a very congested area of the town.

Major schemes like this are extremely complex and in this particular case there are a huge number of utility works that have to be undertaken but cannot be seen from the road.

So many people have commented on the fact that there are few or no engineers working on the scheme.

The truth is there are utility engineers on site but they are underground working on telecoms and water supplies. They are there but you can’t see them at the moment.

In fact at this stage the actual roadworks haven’t started and we can’t until this vital utility work is carried out.

Everyone knows that Colchester is an old town and therefore we are dealing with layouts that were never designed to take the current level of traffic let alone what is predicted in the future as Colchester continues to grow.

Quite often the Council is criticised for not providing infrastructure before housing, well here is an example of how we are doing just that.

Colchester’s Local Plan is predicting thousands of new homes during the next decade and therefore if we don’t plan for the increased traffic then Colchester will be at a permanent standstill.

Although extremely inconvenient for people at the moment the long term benefits will ensure Colchester keeps moving.

 

I am more than aware of the difficulties that many people, especially local businesses are facing as a result of these works.

So, let me explain what is happening and how these works will affect you as we move through the project.

We have to wait until the utility work is completed and this will be in the first part of 2019.

From then on we can get on site to start the roadworks.

We will increase the engineering gangs to help but we are still facing a great deal of engineering challenges, for example we shall have to carry out piling next to the rail line.

This will take time and it will affect traffic when we get to that stage but it is important that it is carried out professionally and safely.

We are and will continue to monitor traffic management to ease and improve people’s journeys as these works continue.

I will also look to see if a reduction in price of the Park and Ride will help but, of course, it is predicated on whether people want to take advantage of this scheme to help improve their travel into and out of Colchester.

I will also ensure that there are regular and updated communications to residents through social media, newspaper articles, broadcast media and the Essex County Council website so everyone can see what is planned and how it will affect them.

READ MORE: Petition launched to speed up Ipswich Road roadworks

There is no place for party politics or point scoring over schemes like this and I never will enter into such nonsense.

The future for you, your families and our town are simply too important. It may not be popular but any politician who simply looks to the next election only will not serve their community well in the long term.

I have over the months and weeks leading up to the start of this scheme ensured Colchester Council has been involved and the former leader and current cabinet member for transport have been fully briefed on this and are aware of the work involved.

The easiest thing for me to do is to halt these works but to do so would be a complete derogation of my duty and responsibilities in planning for the long term future of Colchester.

I would like to thank everyone for their patience and to bear with us while this vital work is done.

Keep supporting our local businesses, think where possible how you can find alternative times or modes of travel and I promise to ensure this work is completed as fast as possible.