The scheme comprises significant public realm improvements to the existing St Botolph's Circus in Colchester, and associated highway works, including new at-grade crossings for active travel models and the removal from use of the existing three subways / underpasses, referred to as the Proposed Scheme.
St Botolph's Circus is located to the south of Colchester city centre at the junction of Southway (A134) to the west, Magdalen Street (A134) to the east, Mersea Road (B1025) to the south, and St Botolph's Street to the north.
The site functions as a large 'gateway' junction, leading to the city centre. The Future Transport Strategy defines the St Botolph's Circus area as both Zone 1 (city centre) and Zone 4 (Strategic Transport Corridor).
The Proposed Scheme aims to:
- Create a good quality urban realm and gateway to the city centre.
- Develop an improved, safer environment for everyone.
- Improve connectivity for communities to local and wider transport networks through bus, rapid transit and rail services and walking and cycling routes.
- Ensure an inclusive and accessible area for all.
- Balance the requirements of different travel modes
- Reduce anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime.
- Improve health and wellbeing for Colchester residents.
- Increase footfall to encourage wider economic growth of the area, provide development opportunities and support local business.
The key elements of the scheme are:
- New public realm area to the north east and north west areas of the Circus, with high quality paving, new planting, landscaping and seating.
- New at-grade traffic signal-controlled crossings on all four arms of the Circus for active travel modes.
- New footways and cycleways, including a link on the north side of Southway between the Circus and Whitwell Road.
- Partial filling-in of the existing roundabout and subways / underpasses, including installing pipes in the existing subways for new drainage attenuation.
- A new retaining wall on the south-western corner to enable carriageway widening and associated earthworks.
- Improved bus stop facilities at the Mersea Road (southbound) stop.
- Carriageway widening, reconstruction and surfacing.
- Enhanced lining and traffic signal installations.
- Surface water drainage works.
- Kerbing, footway construction / reconstruction and landscaping including some tree replacement, planting new trees, wildflower planting.
- Signage works and street furniture.