A PEDESTRIAN crossing on one of Colchester’s most congested roads looks set to be scrapped.

Essex County Council wants to remove the crossing in Cymbeline Way, near the Colne Bank roundabout and the junction with Westway, claiming it aggravates congestion.

Cycle campaigners have accused Rodney Boss, councillor responsible for highways, of damaging years of work with a stroke of a pen.

Will Bramhill, planning officer for the Colchester Cycling Campaign, says the crossing is a vital link for cyclists and pedestrians travelling from Lexden and Prettygate to Colchester North railway station, Colchester General Hospital and the Turner Rise retail park.

It is also a route used by students walking to St Helena School and Colchester Institute.

Mr Bramhill said: “All the work we have put in over the past 25 years has been severed at a stroke of his pen.”

He has asked Colchester MP Sir Bob Russell to raise the issue in Parliament as a “classic example of where localism isn’t working”.

He said Mr Bass had not taken account of national policies to encourage walking and cycling for health and environmental benefits.

Mr Bramhill, of Mile End Road, Colchester, argues scrapping the crossing will have minimal effect on congestion ahead of the park and ride opening in the spring.

He said: “It is being used as an excuse for one of Mr Bass’s pastimes of hitting the pedestrian and cyclist. Congestion could be eased by greater enforcement of yellow boxes on the roundabout.

“The council has an armoury of anti-congestion tactics, but is choosing an anti-pedestrian, anti-cyclist agenda.”

Mr Bramhill said, if the crossing had to go, a safe underpass should be put in place using money from the national roadbuilding pot for sustainable transport.

Mr Bass, in response to Mr Bramhill, said: “We have to remove this crossing which is a major cause of congestion morning and night. Ask any driver who uses it.

“We have consulted Colchester Council informally at our regular meetings, are beginning to designate, by sign, North Station Road as a route to walk and will inform the college and school concerned to the change.

“There is, therefore, a reasonable alternative and we will be promoting it.

“Public transport will also benefit significantly from the change, including park and ride.”