Colchester cycle lane 'a death trap' says ex MP Sir Bob Russell

Safety concerns have been raised due to the cycle lane merging with a bus stop

A cycle lane built on a key city centre route has been called a "death trap" by a former MP.

Sir Bob Russell believes the lane near Essex Hall roundabout, in Station Way, Colchester, could lead to cyclists riding head-on at buses.

The cycleway was installed by Essex Highways as part of a wider route which converted a bus lane in 2020.

An Essex County Council spokesman said the lane supports a "safer cycling network" at the site.

But Colchester's former Liberal Democrat MP Sir Bob said the project was "a scandalous waste of taxpayers' money".

Sir Bob Russell criticised the cycle lane and said it was a "death trap"

"Highways engineers should be designing [removing] road safety dangers out of schemes, not putting people at risk which is what has happened here," he said.

Sir Bob said he would be writing to transport minister Mark Harper to tell him about the "appalling" cycle lane which he claimed was a "death trap".

A spokesperson for Essex County Council said the scheme is not fully complete yet.

"Some of the markings shown in the pictures are from the previous layout and are now redundant," he said.

"These will be permanently removed next week and have been painted over in the interim.

"Northbound cyclists should use the shared footway/cycleway facility past the bus stop to join the segregated facility under the bridge."

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