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 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 2024, 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}}

The first phase, Northern Approach, is being built by Sisk Group.

See also

References