Work to build Colchester's rapid transit system 'damaging' homes

Matthew Wheele said cracks have appeared both inside and outside his house

Residents claimed cracks had appeared in their homes after work started on Colchester's new "super bus lane".

The £99m project, led by Essex County Council, aimed to build a rapid transit system through the city centre, from the north to the east.

But residents living on the planned route, in Northern Approach Road, said the scheme had damaged properties.

A council spokesman said the authority was aware of "a small number" of complaints.

The project to create a rapid transit system is being led by Essex County Council

Resident Matthew Wheele said cracks had formed in every room of his house and externally.

He called on the authority and construction firm John Sisk and Sons to take immediate action.

"This is our home - what's happening isn't acceptable and both Essex County Council and Sisk need to pull their heads out of the mud and urgently deal with the damage they are causing," he said.

'Horrified'

Lib Dem councillor, Martin Goss, said both parties needed to "take proper ownership" and "resolve the problems".

He claimed the issue was "affecting a good number of homeowners and others who have possibly not come forward yet".

"I am sure employees of Sisk and Essex County Council would be horrified if contractors turned up and wreaked the same havoc on their doorstep and see their homes damaged in this way," he added.

Work on the new route, which will run from Colchester's park and ride service near the A12, has encountered delays since construction started.

The service will head east to the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community, where between 7,500 and 9,000 homes would be built, near Elmstead, over the next 20 years.

As part of the £99m government-funded scheme, a link road to connect the A120 and A133 will be built, along with the rapid transit system.

In a joint statement, the county council and John Sisk and Sons said they were aware of complaints made by residents and that they were "being progressed through the contractor's procedures as quickly as practicable".

"We remain committed to engaging with the local community as the scheme continues to progress," a John Sisk and Sons spokesman added.