A TONGUE in cheek celebration to mark the 50th birthday of Colchester’s bus station was held by people who fear they will be left in limbo when it is closed.

The Colchester Bus Users’ Support Group held the event at the bus station, in Queen Street to highlight concerns that no permanent station will be built when the council closes it next year.

The campaigners made cake and took along placards.

Mary Bryan, 73, of Chestnut Way, Tiptree, who is a regular bus user, said: “It just makes me feel like a second-class citizen. I feel the council just doesn’t care what happens to bus users because they think we are all elderly or young families who can’t afford to drive and therefore won’t spend any money in the town.

“Colchester is a big town and we need a central bus station, with a decent waiting room and facilities, like toilets.”

Peter Kay, secretary of the bus users’ group, added: “The purpose of the unhappy birthday commemoration is to remind people that the council are still determined to shut the station in December 2012 even though it has no concrete idea where the buses are supposed to go.”

The temporary bus station is due to close at the end of next year, although it is still not known if there will be a replacement station or where it will go.

Campaigners, including members of the Colchester and District Green Party, have said a replacement bus station is “vital” to improve public transport and cut congestion.

Colchester councillor for planning and sustainability, Lyn Barton, said the council was actively looking at the possibility of a new bus station at Stanwell Street.

She said: “If that came to fruition, it would provide all the things campaigners are requesting.”