Safe Crossing for Colchester Road

Join the fight for a safe crossing of Colchester Road!

Banner image for petition to secure a safe crossing at Colchester Road

Introduction

West Bergholt Parish Council, with the support of its County Councillor Lewis Barber, has been trying since the adoption of the Neighbourhood Plan in 2019 to obtain agreement from Essex County Council to provide a crossing, of some sort, across Colchester Road. A crossing and/or traffic calming will allow residents, especially those from the new and proposed housing sites, to safely access all the village’s facilities, including children and families walking to Heathlands School. In fact, a crossing of Colchester Road and/or traffic calming was part of the Neighbourhood Plan proposals which ECC generally endorsed. Money has already been or is being collected by Colchester City Council towards the cost through s106 contributions¹ from the developers of Colchester Road.

March 5, 2024March 5, 2024

Something to say about Bus Services?

If you have something to say about Bus Services Travel Essex is waiting to hear from you.

AI generated image depicting Bus Services in the style of Constable

Travel Essex is conducting a survey to better understand public opinion on the bus services in Essex. They are looking for responses from both bus users and non-bus users.

They are committed to enhancing public transportation services across the region. To achieve this goal they are seeking valuable insights from residents with their opinions and suggestions to improve services in Essex.

The online survey is now online, and will remain so until Sunday, March 17th, 2024. You can access the survey at:

https://consultations.essex.gov.uk/h-t/f9874637

All of the questions are multiple choice. This survey is completely anonymous but you will have the option to leave your email address if you would like to an emailed copy of your responses to be sent to you.

If you want to make your point in person, they will also be conducting face-to-face surveys in Osbourne Street, Colchester.

On this website

This website has details of local bus services and other transport-related links here.

September 1, 2023September 1, 2023

Bike Theft on the Increase

Bike Theft on the Increase – How can you protect yours?

Bike Theft image in the style of John Constable generated by AI

Bike theft in the Colchester area increased by 26% over the past month. Although the figures for bikes stolen from West Bergholt/Eight Ash Green remain low (only one theft last month) please remain vigilant and make sure that you keep your bike secure at all times.

Below are a few reminders of how you can reduce the risk of having your bicycle stolen.

1. Locks

A high-quality robust lock is the first line of defence. Choose one that is made of hardened steel that cannot be easily cut or broken, avoid flimsy cable locks that are easy to cut. Also try using multiple locks of different types to make it more challenging for thieves.

2. Securing at home

September 20, 2022September 20, 2022

The “Back to Normal” News Update

Back to Normal

As the nation gets back to normal routines, it’s time to catch up on some local news. Click the links to the updates that interest you:

Councillor Lewis Barber appointed to Team Colchester panel – they need your input by 2nd October;
Love Your Library Day – themed on the environment;
Silver Sunday – another Libraries Service event celebrating older people;
Online Language Learning – over 110 available, where are you holidaying next?
Chapel Lane Road Closure;
With Colder weather coming, is your chimney ready for it?
All you need to know about applying for secondary school places for year sixes.

Colchester City Centre Masterplan

July 27, 2022July 27, 2022

Chitts Hill & Chapel Road Closures

The next few weeks will see Chitts Hill closed for through traffic twice and Chapel Road just once. All dates are indicative and may vary according to operational needs. The following are in date order, but in inverse order of severity.

Chitts Hill – 28th July

Map locating two closures at Chitts Hill and diversion route

This closure is to permit Openreach to complete some works. Chitts Hill will be closed from its’ junction with Argents Lane in a southerly direction for around 170m. The recommended diversion route is via Argents lane, Spring Lane and Halstead Rod (or, of course, vice versa).

January 19, 2022January 19, 2022

Highway Code changes on 29th January!

Road priorities in the Highway Code change on 29th January

The Highway Code has eight new rules and major updates to 49 existing ones with effect from 29th January 2022. The biggest single change, and one well worth getting on top of now, is who has priority. Others to revise include Overtaking, Roundabouts & Dutch Reach.

Priorities

The new rules include a ‘Hierarchy of Road Users’ which gives priority to the most vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists & equestrians. The most significant new rules are:

Rule H1

Those in charge of vehicles that can cause the greatest harm in the event of a collision bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others.

December 6, 2021December 6, 2021

Free Cycle training, Police & Other Updates

Free Cycle Training

Through Safer Essex Roads Partnership, ECC is offering free cycle training until the end of March 2022. They have courses available for Children, Adults (beginners to advanced) and even families. Sessions are led by qualified instructors and range from 45 minutes to 3 hours!

If you are interested then you should register your interest here.

Other updates

Essex Police

Essex Police has recently published issue 15 of their local news update. It is a decent read with much to interest, e.g. spiking, property closed due to anti-social behaviour and joint patrols with RMP. There’s also a nice snippet on ‘Disruptor Teams’ who look into and tackle crimes such as anti-social behaviour within communities. It rounds off with an article on cycle security and contact information to help victims of domestic abuse. You can read the whole update below.

Community Updates

This is a much slimmer document with more white space than words, however, items of interest are:

Details of vaccination clinics,
A spreadsheet with funding opportunities,
An article on £9.4m Household Support Funding, this covers free school meals during holidays, food for rough sleepers and more,
Finally, it gives details of the ‘Community Enabling Team’; their remit is to reach out and help find local solutions to issues. The Community Enabling Officer covering West Bergholt is Mark Healy, contact details are:
tel: 07817 889992
email: [email protected].

The Police Update in Full

Essex-Police-Colchester-Update-15 Download

September 18, 2020

Environment & Highways – 10th September 2020

The Environment & Highways Committee of West Bergholt Parish Council met via Zoom on 10th September 2020 and discussed:

Village Ponds,
Playground access,
Strategic environmental planning,
School buses in Lexden Road,
New hedging by the village sign,
Lorkin Daniell Field: trees & hedging, and
Other works and activities.

Continue reading “Environment & Highways – 10th September 2020”

September 10, 2020September 11, 2020

Autumn Clean & an Important Day

This article actually addresses 4 topics and Autumn Clean isn’t the most important day although it is quite so. We cover:

The National Autumn Clean since Spring Clean was cancelled;
Community Policing Updates;
Colchester Consultation on Customer Service; and
That important day.

Autumn Clean as Spring was Postponed

Keep Britain Tidy will once more be organising the UK’s biggest mass-action environmental campaign: The Great British September Clean 2020, after the Spring Clean was postponed due to COVID-19. On Saturday 12th West Bergholt’s own Litter Warriors will be Continue reading “Autumn Clean & an Important Day”

May 21, 2020May 21, 2020

Day 59 of (is it?) Lockdown – the eCargo edition

Day 59 of (is it?) Lockdown

Day 59 sees updates from CBC, ECC & HMG:

Antisocial behaviour leads to the early closures of St John’s Car Park,
eCargo bikes & trailers will soon be on Colchester’s street,
Closures of Ipswich Road from 25th May,
Expansion of Essex Welfare Services,
Guidance for parents & carers when kids go back to school, finally
An interesting/amusing review of advertising during the COVID-19 crisis.

Continue reading “Day 59 of (is it?) Lockdown – the eCargo edition”