A PANEL of experts will discuss the future of Colchester’s transport network – but the public has not been invited to attend.

Essex County Council is hosting the Colchester Transport Symposium where highways bosses will present their plans for the borough.

“Key stakeholders” have been invited, but the meeting on Friday, February 13, will be closed to the public.

Will Bramhill, a spokesman for Colchester Cycling Campaign, which has been invited, said he welcomed the event, but he also warned it could be another talking shop.

He said: “Over the 25 years we have been in existence, I have been to numerous events run by Essex County Council and Colchester Council and I can only hope this particular event is not like them.

“Colchester’s transport infrastructure is in a fix and it needs solving.

“I am very keen to hear exactly what Rodney Bass, councillor responsible for highways, wants to say on this particular issue.”

Colchester’s roads are high on the agenda at the moment with a number of projects under way or planned to prepare for the town’s first park and ride to open in the spring.

Abus lane, linking the park and ride near the community stadium A12 junction to Mill Road, is due to open soon.

A bus lane is being created on the town centre-bound carriageway in Station Way.

Essex County Council plans to close the pelican crossing in Cymbeline Way to ease congestion at the Westway roundabout.

Dean Coulson, from Colchester, said the public has not been invited because transport bosses think residents’ views are unimportant and unwelcoming.

An Essex County Council spokesman said the event will provide key stakeholders with updates on schemes and policies, as well as details about the future growth for the town.

Attendees will be given the chance to ask questions.