A NEW bus gate in Colchester will push more than 3,000 extra vehicles a day on to some of the town’s most congested roads, it has been revealed.

Essex Highways modelling shows the bus gate, which will stop traffic passing from Middleborough into North Station Road, will mean 3,127 vehicles a day travel down Westway instead. They then have to navigate the congested Colne Bank roundabout to the other side of North Station Road.

The details were revealed by Essex County Council in a Freedom of Information request submitted by Colchester’s former MP Sir Bob Russell.

Sir Bob said: “I must assume those councillors who support the No Entry ban into North Station Road are fully aware of this statistic.

"While the intention is to prevent vehicles from travelling northwards to join Cowdray Avenue at the Albert roundabout it will have the serious negative effect of adding to the existing congestion at peak times on Westway and the Colne Bank roundabout.

“Congestion at the Middleborough roundabout also leads to tailbacks all the way up Balkerne Hill.”

Estimates show about 30 per cent of the vehicle trips, almost 1,000 vehicles, are from residents or those visiting businesses.

Sir Bob, a resident of the area for more than 50 years, added: “Journey times will be longer, and will add to the distance for residents to travel home – adding to congestion and pollution.

"It should not be necessary for me to table Freedom Of Information requests to get this information.

"It should not be left to me to tell people what is going on.”

Read more:

An Essex County Council spokesperson said key community representatives were engaged about the plans.

He said: “We thank Sir Bob for his interest in the Active Travel proposals planned for North Station Road from Middleborough.The public Active Travel consultation has now finished and all the responses are now being studied.

"It really is the case that no decisions have been made. The whole purpose of a consultation is to allow the public and businesses to give their views and to help shape the final proposals before anything is implemented.

“ECC did engage with key community representatives before the consultation began, our steering group worked closely with Colchester businesses (through Colchester BID), Colchester Cycle Campaign, Walk Colchester, Passenger Transport (Buses), Essex Sight and North Essex Parking Partnership. We also consulted elected representatives of all parties from both Essex CC and Colchester BC.

“Once analysis of all the consultation responses has taken place, we will report to the steering group who will then discuss next steps."