The A12 southbound closes overnight between Marks Tey and Witham from 10 August to 12 September, with a 25-mile diversion. Plus St Botolph's, parking and park and ride.
Colchester is in the middle of three separate pieces of long-running road work at once: National Highways resurfacing the A12 down towards Chelmsford, a £15.2 million rebuild of St Botolph’s Circus, and a cycle and walking route being cut into East Hill. Two of those run into 2027. This page sets out what is closed and when, and then the parts that do not change: the routes into the city, where to park and what it costs.
A12 southbound: overnight closures from 10 August
The item that will affect most people this month is on the A12. From Monday 10 August to Friday 12 September 2026, National Highways is closing the A12 southbound between junction 25 (Marks Tey) and junction 23, on weeknights only, between 9pm and 5am, weather permitting.
The signed diversion is long. Southbound traffic leaves the A12 at junction 25, runs down the A120 and then the A131, and rejoins the A12 at junction 19 near Boreham. That is roughly 25 miles, so an evening drive towards Chelmsford or the M25 that normally takes half an hour needs a good deal more time, or an earlier start.
This is the second of three phases in the A12 Chelmsford to Colchester maintenance scheme, which runs from 11 May to October 2026 and covers resurfacing and central reservation work. The first phase, northbound between junctions 19 and 22, ran from 13 July to 1 August. The third and last phase is:
- Monday 14 September to Friday 10 October 2026, A12 northbound between junction 19 and junction 25, weeknights 9pm to 5am.
That third phase is the one to note if you drive back into Colchester late. It puts the closure on the road you come home on, with the same diversion in reverse.
St Botolph’s Circus: two more years
The roundabout at the bottom of the town is being rebuilt. Essex Highways appointed Jackson Civil Engineering to deliver the £15.2 million St Botolph’s Circus scheme, which shrinks the roundabout, removes the subways and replaces them with signal-controlled crossings on every arm, widens the pavements and adds a plaza on St Botolph’s Street.
Tree felling started in late February 2026 and survey work and contractor mobilisation followed in April, so what is on site now is enabling work rather than the main build. Essex Highways expects the scheme to run about 18 months and finish in autumn 2027. Lane and road closures are promised at points through the work, with advance notice, but no fixed closure calendar has been published yet.
East Hill: works to summer 2027
The other city-centre scheme is the East Hill walking and cycling route, part of a longer link between the city centre, the University of Essex, Greenstead and the future Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community. Contractor Octavius is on site. The work covers new foot and cycle paths, resurfacing, upgraded bus stops and a rebuilt Guildford Road junction, and brings a 20mph speed limit to East Hill. Essex Highways says it is aiming to keep two-way traffic running wherever possible. Works are expected to continue until summer 2027.
Park and ride: the cheapest way into the centre
With three schemes running, the Park and Ride at Cuckoo Farm off the A12 is worth a look even if you have always driven in. It has 970 spaces and an adult return into the city is £3.20.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult return | £3.20 |
| Off peak (bought 12pm to 3pm, Mon to Fri) | £2.70 |
| Child under 16 | £1.10 |
| Group (2 adults and 3 children, one car) | £5.40 |
| Student with ID | £2.00 |
| 12 for 11 flexi ticket | £35.20 |
| Concessionary pass holder | £1.70 |
| Park only, no bus | £3.00 a day |
Two catches. It runs Monday to Friday 06:30 to 19:30 and Saturday 07:00 to 19:30, and not on Sundays, and once the service ends at 19:30 the car park is locked and you cannot get your car out except on advertised event nights. Height restriction is 2.4 metres.
Until 31 August 2026 all children aged 5 to 15 travel free on the service. Full details are on Travel Essex.
City centre parking, and what it costs
If you do drive in, the two big council car parks are the St Mary’s multi-storey with 577 spaces and Priory Street with 169. Both take MiPermit, card, text and phone, and both charge the same £2.40 flat evening rate after 6pm. Priory Street is open 24 hours, seven days a week. St Mary’s is open 24 hours Monday to Thursday but only 5am to 10pm Friday to Sunday, which is the one to remember if you are out late at a weekend.
The MiPermit rates are the ones people miss. Booking through the app rather than paying at the machine drops four hours at St Mary’s from £5.50 to £3.70, and a 2pm to 6am stay to £3.20. Blue Badge holders park free for up to three hours at Priory Street, which has seven accessible bays and two EV charging points. Motorcycles park free at both. A season ticket at either is £555 for three months or £2,000 for twelve.
Note the height limits before you set off: 1.97m at Priory Street and 2.06m at St Mary’s. Neither takes a roof box or a high-top van.
Full tariffs are published by the council for Priory Street and St Mary’s.
Going to London instead
For a day in London, the sums usually favour leaving the car at the Park and Ride or the station rather than driving. Colchester station has 935 spaces and the fastest trains reach Liverpool Street in 47 minutes. Times and fares are on our Colchester trains to London page.
Frequently asked questions
Is the A12 closed near Colchester?
The A12 southbound is closed overnight between junction 25 at Marks Tey and junction 23, weeknights 9pm to 5am, from 10 August to 12 September 2026. The road is open during the day. A northbound closure between junctions 19 and 25 follows from 14 September to 10 October.
How long is the A12 diversion?
About 25 miles. Southbound traffic is sent from junction 25 along the A120, then the A131, rejoining the A12 at junction 19.
When will St Botolph’s Circus be finished?
Essex Highways expects the £15.2 million scheme to take about 18 months from its 2026 start and finish in autumn 2027.
How much is Colchester Park and Ride?
£3.20 for an adult return, £1.10 for a child under 16 and £5.40 for a group of two adults and three children arriving in one car. It runs Monday to Saturday only, and closes at 19:30.
What is the cheapest parking in Colchester city centre?
Booking through the MiPermit app. Four hours at St Mary’s or Priory Street drops to £3.70 that way, against £5.50 and £5.00 respectively at the standard rate. An adult Park and Ride return is cheaper still at £3.20.
Sources
- A12 Chelmsford to Colchester maintenance, National Highways for the closure phases, dates, times and diversion route.
- St Botolph’s Circus Roundabout, Essex Highways for the scheme cost, contractor, scope and completion date.
- Colchester Park and Ride, Travel Essex for fares, hours, capacity and the summer children’s offer.
- Priory Street car park and St Mary’s car park, Colchester City Council, for tariffs, capacity and height limits.
Roadworks dates move with the weather and with what contractors find when they open up the carriageway. Check National Highways and Essex Highways before you set off.
Have your say
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