‘Nimby’ locals furious at council wasting £90k on ‘eyesore’ roundabout that looks like ‘cat litter tray’

A furious homeowner has slammed his local council for spending more than £90,000 on a roundabout he claims “looks like a cat litter tray.”

Tony Bland, 52, is outraged over the costly facelift given to Albert Roundabout in Colchester, Essex..

The controversial project, which covered the roundabout in sand, cost taxpayers exactly £93,334, according to figures revealed through a Freedom of Information request by Colchester High Steward Sir Bob Russell.

“It was a perfectly serviceable roundabout and the money paid here to cover it in sand is exceptionally high,” said Bland.

In protest at the sandy makeover, Bland set up a sun lounger at the roundabout with orange juice in plastic camping cups

“The rest of the area is still quite drab – it’s like putting lipstick on something,” he said.

He warned that drunk club-goers walking across the roundabout at night might kick up the sand.

“Some people don’t like it and others say it looks like a cat litter tray,” Bland added.

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He also criticised the removal of mature grasses from nearby planters, which were replaced with sand and new plants.

“They really do look like litter trays,” he said.

The project was jointly funded by Essex County Council, Colchester Council, and rail operator Greater Anglia.

The redesign was intended to improve first impressions for visitors arriving by train to Colchester.

As part of the makeover, topsoil was replaced with sand to prevent weeds from growing.

Beth Chatto Gardens was tasked with undertaking the project.

“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,” Bland said.

Bland pointed to the 900-year-old Middle Mill Weir Bridge, which collapsed last December, as a project desperately needing funds.

He has since founded a campaign to restore the beloved local attraction.

“The Middle Mill Weir is deserving of some funds being put towards it,” he said.

“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 Colchester Council spokesman responded that funds for the roundabout “cannot legally or practically be redirected to other projects or services, such as park toilet maintenance or weir repairs.”

The council defended the project as “a key element of the long-term Fixing the Link initiative” which has been running for nearly nine years.

A spokesman said there had been “extensive public updates and involvement at every stage”.

They urged patience regarding the roundabout’s appearance, stating: “While the planting is currently in its early stages, its full impact will only become evident after a couple of summer growing seasons”.

The council added they remain “committed to transparency, value for public funds, and ensuring Colchester remains a vibrant and attractive city”.