COLCHESTER'S cycle network needs to be improved if drivers are being asked to ditch their cars, a councillor has said.

With congestion being an ongoing crisis, efforts are being made to encourage people to walk, cycle or use public transport.

However Lee Scordis (Lab), county councillor for Abbey Division in Colchester, says not enough is being done to address this.

He used Cowdray Avenue as an example.

He said: "You only have to look at the poor cycle network in Colchester and how current routes are neglected by Highways.

"One example is Cowdray Avenue, a route used by hundreds of commuters every day to and from the train station.

"The cycle path, which directs you through a nice route via Castle Park, is littered with potholes throughout and cycling it becomes a game of 'dodge the pothole'.

"When I reported it I was told it doesn't meet the criteria for repair despite clear safety issues.

"However money is always found to widen roads, such as the pointless scheme on Lexden Road. The thing is widening roads doesn't solve the congestion problem in a medieval town."

Essex Highways responded to Mr Scordis in an email.

It said: "We can confirm Essex Highways carried out a full inspection of the cycleway on May 8.

"During the inspection Essex Highways did not record any defects which warrant urgent attention along the cycleway and therefore no works are planned for this location at this time.

"In the meantime the cycleway will continue to be monitored during routine monthly inspections, any further deterioration will be logged and dealt with accordingly."

Will Bramhill of Colchester Cycling Campaign, said it was reinforcing the message the council "cares only for drivers".

He said: "The county’s attitude is clear - just compare the cratered cycleway with the ‘billiard table’ road next to it.

“This is supposed to be an Essex County Council flagship cycle route but it reflects so badly on the town, especially as foreigners use it to get from Harwich to visit Colchester then ride on to London — and it is a key commuter route, too.

“Sooner or later a rider will be injured, and a court settlement will cost Essex a lot more than the work itself.”