Cars are blatantly driving down a new bus-only lane in Colchester.

At one point yesterday the new 24-hour lane in North Station Road was gridlocked with illegal vehicles.

There are clear signs on the road showing cars are banned but some drivers are ignoring them.

Police and traffic wardens have been down to advise drivers of the new restrictions, which allow only taxis, buses, motorcycles and cycles to use the town centre-bound side of the road, and they have the power to issue fixed penalty tickets.

Terry Sutton, chairman of Colchester Council's planning and transportation committee said: "The police are responsible but with so many police cuts these days one wonders if there are enough officers to do so."

The controversial new venture is part of Colchester Council's drive to bring down congestion.

Insp Paul Fieldsend, of Colchester police, said: "We will be paying attention to the new bus lanes when we can." but I would not like to say they are going to see a police officer down there all the time because it would not be true."

He said Colchester Police had received advise from traffic headquarters in Chelmsford to be aware cars were flouting the new restrictions.

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