HIGHWAYS bosses are set to commit thousands of pounds for safety improvements at a series of notorious junctions in Colchester.

More than £98,000 could be invested to improve six accident blackspots in the borough as part of the latest stage of Essex Highways’ Casualty Reduction Scheme.

In Mersea Road there were four failure to give way collisions in 2018 where the right turn heads into Napier Road.

Essex Highways plans to spend £36,000 to conduct investigation works at the junction with the view to providing a separate right turn phase for the traffic lights.

County councillor Lee Scordis said a review of the growing area was welcome.

He said: “Congestion is a big issue at the junction as all traffic goes down the road to the south of Colchester. Anything which helps movement of traffic in the area whilst improving safety would be welcomed.”

At the Albert roundabout, in Cowdray Avenue, there were 14 collisions in 2018. Seven were caused by drivers failing to give way to cyclists, with two being classed as serious.

In total £13,000 is set to be committed to investigate the number of cyclists and drivers using the roundabout to see whether changes to the road crossings are necessary. Improvements to the existing shared cycleway could also be implemented.

Mr Scordis said: “The number of collisions tells me this is a priority area and we know the roundabout is used by lots of commuters. We want more cyclists getting on their bikes and this should be a priority.”

Extra signage and dedicated cycle turn lanes could to be added in Nayland Road after four collisions were reported involving cyclists. The measures could cost £13,500.

Eight accidents took place at Warren Lane’s junction with Maldon Road. Investigations will take place to explore purchasing nearby land and creating a new T-junction or roundabout in the existing junction’s place, but the cost is not yet known.

Layer Road’s junction with Boudicea Way is also a hotspot for accidents involving cyclists and £12,500 is set to be spent on creating advisory cycle lanes either side of the junction.

A further £23,500 could be spent to prevent flooding where the A1124 meets Napier Road in Wakes Colne.

A spokesman for Essex Highways spokesperson said: “Casualty Reduction Schemes are always our top priority for road improvements.

"One fatal collision or life-changing injury is one too many, not only for the victim, but often with severe effects for their family for years to come.

"Essex Highways is part of the Safer Essex Roads Partnership, SERP, which includes Police, Fire and councils among others. SERP works to educate, train and influence all road users to travel more safely, prioritising more vulnerable groups such as young drivers and motorcyclists.

"Highways has to very carefully prioritise road safety improvements as Casualty Reduction Schemes for where there is a pattern of more serious collisions and where an engineering solution is practical.

“Each Casualty Reduction Scheme is designed, tested using modelling then safety-audited and monitored after construction as any even slight changes to road layout for example can create unpredictable changes in driver behaviour.

"Even so, road layout is nearly always a very minor factor in any collision, with excess speed, inattention to driving (mobile phone use or other distractions), and drink and drug driving or mechanical issues being far more important contributors.

"There is, unfortunately, a minority of drivers who still ignore speed limits and even many who don’t bother wearing seat-belts – despite all the evidence that a seat belt will save your life in a serious collision.”