THE opening of a new bus station in Colchester should be delayed to bring it in line with a park and ride scheme, a councillor has said.

The controversial Osborne Street station, which is set to replace the current Queen Street site, is scheduled to open at the end of this year.

However, a senior councillor has revealed he believes the opening should coincide with that of the new park and ride facility at the Cuckoo Farm junction on the A12.

There is no fixed start date for the park and ride scheme, but it is set to be completed by September 2013 – a full nine months after the new bus station is due to open.

Paul Smith, councillor responsible for finance at Colchester Council, said the park and ride and new bus station were linked as part of the town’s transport strategy, and the aim would be “to get it all going at the same time”.

Speaking during a hustings hosted by Colchester Pensioners’ Action Group, he said: “The bus station could be a month or two late to bring it in with the park and ride.

“However, if the two were linked, then it could be the park and ride may come in sooner than currently expected.

"For example, the new A12 junction was finished three months earlier than anyone expected.”

Mr Smith said neither Colchester Council or Essex County Council had decided on the change, but that plans were changing daily.

He also confirmed that the temporary facility in Queen Street will remain in operation until the new bus station is up and running.

Peter Kay, of Colchester Bus Users Support Group, said he had never expected the bus station to open by the end of 2012.

“One is sceptical about anything happening with local government involved,” he said.

“Personally I think it’s a very wise thing to say, rather than carrying on insisting it’s going to be open by December 31 and sticking your head in the sand.”

l Paul Smith is standing for election in St John's ward on May 3. He is against Jennie Fisher, Labour, Charles McKay, Conservative and David Traynier, Green.