CYCLISTS say they should have been consulted on how to improve riders’ safety at a set of notorious junctions in Colchester.

Essex County Council has announced six dangerous junctions in Colchester will receive investment of more than £98,000 as part of the latest round of its Casualty Reduction Schemes.

Changes are set to be made at junctions in Mersea Road, Warren Lane, Layer Road, as well as at The Albert roundabout in Cowdray Avenue, the A134 and the A1124.

Many of the junctions have been identified as crash hotspots due to the amount of accidents involving cyclists last year.

However, Colchester Cycling Campaign said although it was pleased the dangerous junctions had been identified, the proposals themselves were “disappointing”.

A spokesman said: “While we are pleased the council are identifying junctions where cyclists are in danger from motorists we regret the lack of consultation with cyclists who use these junctions every day and can provide valuable input on what changes will make a real difference.

“We have a good relationship with Essex County Council and have some strong engagement on strategic changes to improve everyday cycling in Colchester.

“We now need them to rethink the way they design changes to junctions to improve safety for cyclists - early engagement with cyclists can deliver improved, safer solutions and avoid wasting money on half-cocked changes.”

The group welcomed the move to look into improvements at The Albert roundabout, where, it said, there were seven collisions caused by drivers not giving way to cyclists, however, it said “just changing the paint on the road will not deliver the safety improvement required”.

The spokesman added: “The roundabout is on the main route from the station to the town centre and deserves a complete rethink to improve safety for those walking and cycling.”

Colchester Cycling Campaign said there were also alternative sites which needed attention.

The spokesman said: “We were disappointed to see the council has not suggested safety improvements for cyclists at Spring Lane roundabout which has been a collision blackspot for cyclists including the recent case where a cyclist was seriously injured on the roundabout.”

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “The council consulted with Colchester Council, drawing on its professional expertise from a variety of teams within Essex Highways, including Road Safety consultants, engineers and those implementing Essex County Council’s cycling strategy.

“Best practice is considered and implemented in casualty reduction schemes when it is appropriate to do so, but, as ever, budgetary constraints result in schemes needing to be prioritised.”