Colchester Rapid Transit
{{Short description|Rapid Transit System in Essex, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox Public transit
| name =
| image =
| imagesize =
| locale = Colchester, Essex, England
| transit_type = Bus rapid transit
| system_length = {{cvt|4.7|mi|km|0}}
| lines = 1
| stations = 8
| marks =
| vehicles =
| train_length =
| owner = Colchester City Council,
Essex County Council and
First Essex
| operator = First Essex
| average_speed =
| top_speed =
| map =
| map_name =
| start = Colchester (North) Park and Ride
| end = Colchester Garden Community
| operation_will_start = 2025
| caption =
| website =
| headquarters = Colchester
| headway = Once every 10 minutes
}}
Colchester Rapid Transit, is a bus rapid transit system under construction in Colchester, Essex, England;{{Cite web |title=Colchester Rapid Transit |url=https://www.essexhighways.org/highway-schemes-and-developments/highway-schemes/colchester-schemes/colchester-rapid-transit |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Essex Highways}} it has a main bus line including a 1 mile segregated busway alongside the Northern Approach Road, and new bus lanes and priority measures at Clingoe Hill. It is set to open its first line in 2025.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-28 |title=Colchester's bus lane project will be delayed |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7482wz2gv7o#:~:text=Work%20to%20construct%20a%20new,fully%20completed%20until%20spring%202025. |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
The system will serve central Colchester, Essex University, as well as some suburbs including Myland and The Hythe.
Overview
The system is being built as a part of multiple transport improvements across the city, such as the A133-A120 link road{{Cite web |title=A120 to A133 Link Road {{!}} Essex County Council |url=https://www.essexhighways.org/a120-a133-link-and-rapid-transit |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Essex Highways}} and the re-construction of St Botolph's Circus. The busway was proposed as a more efficient alternative after some called for a tram system in the city.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-22 |title=New calls for trams to be introduced in Colchester city centre - here is where |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/20674654.calls-trams-introduced-colchester-city-centre/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Gazette |language=en}} It will be the only rapid transit system in Essex.
It is to have one line and eight stations, terminating in the proposed new garden community. The guided busway portions are along Cowdray Avenue, and Via Urbis Romanae.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-07 |title=Explained: Why council bosses say new 'rapid' bus lane is needed to keep city moving |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/24565331.colchesters-rapid-transport-system-bus-lane/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Gazette |language=en}}
The line will have one bus every ten minutes, which would make it one of the most frequent bus services in Essex.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=19&v=gnMueaGQW0k&feature=youtu.be |title=Colchester Rapid Transit System |date=2023-01-06 |last=Essex Highways |access-date=2025-01-16 |via=YouTube}}
Construction
The project was originally meant to be completed by Spring 2025, but was later delayed to Autumn 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-28 |title=When will we see an end to Colchester's Rapid Transit System works? |url=https://www.clactonandfrintongazette.co.uk/news/25117174.will-rapid-transit-system-works-completed/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Clacton and Frinton Gazette |language=en}} The project is set to finish construction in 2025, with work ongoing as of May 2025.{{cite web |url=https://www.essexhighways.org/highway-schemes-and-developments/highway-schemes/colchester-schemes/colchester-rapid-transit |title=A133 Clingoe Hill westbound lane closure |website=Essex Highways |date=11 March 2025 |access-date=17 March 2025}}
The project received criticism after it was revealed that cracks appeared on multiple homes after construction started to build the rapid busway.{{Cite news |date=2024-01-26 |title=Work to build Colchester's rapid transit system 'damaging' homes |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-68093096 |access-date=2025-01-16 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
Route
See also
References
{{reflist}}{{Transport in Colchester}}
Category:Guided busways and BRT systems in the United Kingdom