Council Reports Rapid Transit System Many of you will now have seen the advanced works that have started on the new Colchester Rapid Transit System (RTS) on the Northern Approach Road (A134), but whilst plans for this road have been in progress for almost 20 years, the parish has evolved, grown and brought in many new faces, so I wanted to bring us all up to speed. The plans started as a priority bus lane and was granted in 2006. These plans have since evolved however, as a new Colchester Rapid Transit System, following funding through the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund. This will create a new route for priority transport and provide necessary services every few minutes between the A12 Park and Ride, city centre and University of Essex, and where a new Garden Community will be developed. Due to be up and running by 2025/26, the aim is to help connect residents with main destinations, such as the train station and hospital. It also hopes to: • Make it quicker and easier than travelling by car; • Provide high-quality public transport; • Help grow the local economy; • Help ease traffic and congestion; • Improve accessibility and support the environment. A revised design of the RTS was approved by the borough council last year, which sees the rapid transit lane moved further from properties, along with improved walking and cycling facilities. Currently the Northern Approach is in the first stage of the construction work with the removal of trees and vegetation. These will be replaced this spring with large nursery grown semi-mature trees and some landscaped areas, which will increase the total number of trees by 20%. You can find more details and plans: by clicking HERE If you have any questions about the works or Rapid Transit plans, please email [email protected] 6
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