ELDERLY bus passengers are having to walk up to a mile to get a bus to Colchester town centre because of essential roadworks.

Work on Berechurch Road started in May and when each phase is completed, repair teams move further along the road, closer to the town centre.

Now, it means residents in streets such as Queen Mary Avenue, Gurdon Road and Chariot Drive, off Berechurch Road, have to walk to Abbey Field in order to get the number 63 First Bus service into Colchester.

The service, which usually goes to the St Michael’s estate, temporarily terminates at Abbey Field during the work, which lasts until the autumn.

Dozen passengers are now asking for the service to run to at least Gurdon Road, before turning back through Daniel Cole Road, meaning passengers can get home quicker.

Dave Harris, borough councillor for Berechurch, said: “All we are asking is for the bus to go just that little bit further and it would help some of the passengers so much.

“We know how important the work is but we have got to think of the more elderly people who use the bus and how we can help them.”

First Bus said requests from the public will be responded to within 14 working days.