First stage of new Link Road to get underway following the appointment of contractor

The new A1331 will support an infrastructure-led approach to the delivery of the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community.

Work on the first phase of the new A1331 near Colchester is set to get underway in the coming weeks, following the appointment of contractor Octavius Infrastructure.

Having carried out the detailed design work for the scheme, which will ultimately link the A120 and A133, Essex County Council has now appointed the firm to undertake the construction of the first phase of the project.

This will see the creation of a 1.8km dual carriageway road with three junctions. It will run between the A133 to the east of the University of Essex, and the new ‘Allen’s Farm Roundabout’ to the north.

Funding for the scheme comes from a successful £99.9 million Housing Infrastructure Fund bid from Homes England. The funding is also supporting the ongoing delivery of the city’s new Rapid Transit System, which will provide a step change in local public transport provision.

Together, these key first pieces of transport infrastructure will support the new Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community and will enable the first homes to be delivered.

Councillor Tom Cunningham, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “The Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community is an important part of delivering new homes, jobs, services and amenities in the area, but has to be delivered in the right way, taking existing communities with us.

“This means working together with Colchester City Council and Tendring District Council, as well as Homes England, to ensure we deliver the right homes, supported by the right infrastructure, delivered at the right time. It is fantastic that we now reached this important milestone of starting work on this critical piece of road infrastructure.”

Councillor David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “It’s great to see progress on the A1331 link road. This will improve access, help manage traffic congestion on local roads, and help enable delivery of the new garden community.

“I look forward to continuing to work together with Essex County Council, Tendring District Council and Homes England, to ensure the successful delivery of this critical infrastructure.”

Works on the first phase will initially see the creation of a new roundabout on the A133, before Octavius start constructing the new road. The works are expected to take around 20 months and have been designed to reduce local disruption and minimise environmental impacts.

Octavius Highways Managing Director Gavin Pritchard said: “This is a particularly pleasing outcome as it is a testament to our commitment to provide sustainable transport solutions, enhancing local economic growth through our impactful social value and local employment initiatives. The project incorporates stretching carbon and waste reduction plans, community investment and the extensive use of our local supply chain.”

A further phase of the A1331 will in the future connect to the A120, to the east of Ardleigh South Services. Funding for that phase will be secured as part of the planning process for the Garden Community.