Clingoe Hill roadworks — and how to avoid them

Essex Highways are undertaking works across Colchester to prepare for:

• the rapid transit bus between the new Garden Community, the city centre, and the A12 Park & Ride and Colchester Sports Park
• the A1331 link road between the A120 and A133 to Elmstead Market

Drop-in events to discuss both schemes with the infrastructure contractors take place at the Colchester Innovation Centre at our Knowledge Gateway on Tuesday 16 July between 3pm and 7pm.

A key part of the route is Clingoe Hill, running alongside our Colchester Campus, which will be widened to accommodate a dedicated rapid transit bus lane running towards Colchester. Preparations have been ongoing since January 2024, and work will be expanded in late July.

Here are our top tips to help avoid delays:

Ditch the car

Avoid queues and delays altogether: rent a TIER e-bike or e-scooter, or dust off your own bike. You can find maps of on- and off-road cycle routes to the University on the Cycle Colchester website.

Not got a bike? You can save between 20% and 40% on the cost of a new bike, e-bike, and accessories using Cyclescheme. 

If you've not ridden in a while, get free training from the Council.

Alternatively, simply walk to work along a pleasant walking route. 

Let someone else do the driving

Option one: take one of the many bus routes which pass directly through campus and can drop you closer than the car park. See the discounts we offer on First Bus services, and get a loan for a season ticket so you don't have to pay for it all up front.

Option two: travel by train with a 10% discount for University staff with Abellio Greater Anglia, as well as a 34% discount on off-peak journeys and children's travel for £1. Season ticket loans are available for trains too.

Option three: join the Essex Car Share scheme to get matched with a driver. It's good for your pocket, and one less car on the road means less congestion and fewer emissions, so it's good for the planet too.