THE decision to scrap Colchester’s High Street car ban was labelled “monstrous” and “extraordinary” at an elections hustings for pensioners.

Five candidates for the Essex County Council elections on May 2 were quizzed for two hours by members of Colchester Pensioners’ Action Group at Cardinal Bourne Hall in Priory Street.

Top of the agenda was County Hall’s decision to scrap a trial ban on all vehicles bar buses, motorbikes, and taxis from the High Street between 11am and 6pm just 26 days after it was launched.

Councillors lined up to criticise Derrick Louis, the county councillor responsible for highways and transport, for the shock move.

Pensioner Tim Oxton said: “I’d like to ask the candidates what they feel about the quite monstrous decision by Councillor Derrick Louis to halt the car ban on the High Street when there have been improvements with bus services and improvements with air quality.”

The question resulted in the biggest round of applause during Friday’s husting, which was attended by around 30 people.

See the Gazette next week for the full story.