APLAN has been unveiled for another bus lane in Colchester.

Essex County Council has secured funding to build a town centre-bound bus lane in Lexden Road, between Glen Avenue and the Maldon Road roundabout, in a bid to cut congestion during rush-hours.

Motorists will still be able to use the remainder of the road.

The plan is part of County Hall’s Colchester Town Centre Traffic and Access Strategy, for which it has secured £5million from the South East Local Enterprise Partnership. The strategy’s aim is to encourage sustainable public transport, cycling and walking in the town.

But the plan has been questioned by Paul Avison, who lives in Lexden Road and is vice-chairman of Colchester Cycling Campaign.

He found out when a utilities engineer called to let him knowwork would need to be carried out to avoid residents’ energy supplies being affected.

He said: “I think we should have been contacted by the county council directly.

“This project is so major. It affects everyone who lives on and uses one of the main roads into Colchester.”

To build the bus lane, the existing lane will be widened, which is likely at least to knock out the eastbound and westbound cycle paths.

Parts of the pavement could also be used to make room for the scheme.

It is understood highways bosses hope to create shared footway-cycleway paths, which Mr Avison has warned against.

He said: “They will be expecting cyclists to share a footpath with hundreds of children going to school. That is dangerous.”

Mr Avison added: “They say their intention is to provide improved bus journey times and get more people on buses, whilst not adversely affecting car users.

“Pedestrians and cyclists just don’t seem to come into it any more.”

The cycling campaigner also pointed to a similar “dangerous”

scheme in North Station Road, which sees cyclists sharing the pavement with walkers and people waiting for the bus.

Peter Kay, secretary of Colchester Bus Users’ Support Group, welcomed the news, adding: “We know there is a problem with buses being delayed coming into the town in Lexden Road.”

ACounty Hall spokesman said no timescale had been finalised, but in an email seen by the Gazette, bosses have admitted “the timeframe for delivery of this is tight to say the least”.

The spokesman added: “We are committed to delivering a sustainable and first class transport system for Colchester, as illustrated by the opening of the park-and-ride service.

“The aim of the bus lane scheme would be to improve bus journey times and passenger numbers, while not adversely affecting other road users.

“Work is ongoing to establish what could be delivered within the budget, road space and timescales available. No such scheme has yet been finalised.”