We’re furious at council wasting £90,000 on ‘eyesore’ roundabout outside our homes – it looks like a DESERT ISLAND
A HOME-owner has hit out at his local council for wasting over £90,000 on a roundabout that they’ve said "looks like a cat litter tray".
Tony Bland, 52, has been left fuming over the decision to give the Albert Roundabout in Colchester, Essex a facelift, even saying it’s been left to look like a “desert island”.
The eyesore roundabout, which is covered in sand, was revealed through a Freedom of Information request by Colchester High Steward Sir Bob Russell to have cost £93,334.
Beth Chatto Gardens undertook the project, which was funded by Essex County Council, Colchester Council, and the rail operator Greater Anglia.
The brief was to improve the first impressions of visitors arriving by train, which included topsoil replaced with sand to prevent weeds from growing.
But Mr Bland has slammed the council for the roundabout’s high cost and its unsightly nature.
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He said: “I set myself up in a sun lounger with some orange juice in plastic cups I had from camping.
"It was a perfectly serviceable roundabout and the money paid here to cover it in sand is exceptionally high.
"The rest of the area is still quite drab - it's like putting lipstick on something.
“The rest of it still looks bad, but we've slapped something on."
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He added: “Some people don’t like it and others say it looks like a cat litter tray.
“Where was the public consultation process for it?
"Drunk club-goers walk across the roundabout directly at night, and I would imagine they will feel it's a great idea to kick the sand up.
"There is a sense of frustration and apathy with council activities like this which are being pushed onto people in the town and council taxpayers.
"Councillors also removed some very mature grasses that were established in the rusty planters near the roundabout.
"They pulled all those out and filled the boxes with sand and put new plants in. They really do look like litter trays."
What’s more, Mr Bland has pointed to other local projects that have been in desperate need of funding - but have been overlooked.
The example he uses is the 900-year-old Middle Mill Weir Bridge, which collapsed last December.
Indeed, he’s since become the founder of a campaign dedicated to fixing the beloved local attraction.
He said: "The Middle Mill Weir is deserving of some funds being put towards it.
"The council say they have no money and yet they've got the funds allocated to a project like this.
"It is hugely frustrating."
A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “The Albert Roundabout redevelopment is a key element of the long-term Fixing the Link initiative.
"This project has been ongoing for nearly nine years, with extensive public updates and involvement at every stage.
“These funds were specifically allocated for the Fixing the Link initiative and cannot legally or practically be redirected to other projects or services, such as park toilet maintenance or weir repairs.
“While the planting is currently in its early stages, its full impact will only become evident after a couple of summer growing seasons.
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"It is too early to draw final conclusions about the roundabout’s overall aesthetic or ecological contributions.
“As we progress with initiatives like Fixing the Link, we are committed to transparency, value for public funds, and ensuring Colchester remains a vibrant and attractive city for residents and visitors alike.”
