MORE than £100million for Colchester’s schools is dependent on a link road being built, it has been confirmed.

Colchester Council’s coalition agreed to allow Philip Morant Secondary School to use a strip of land off Norman Way for an access road, but only if £130million for education depends on it.

Stephen Castle, county councillor responsible for education, last night gave the first official confirmation that the two were inextricably linked.

He said: “A new access road for Philip Morant has always been a key part of plans for the transformation of secondary schooling in Colchester, and the Building Schools for the Future investment programme will not go ahead without it.

“The sooner the road gets the go-ahead, the better.”

Anne Turrell, leader of Colchester Council, questioned why the link road was not highlighted as crucial during two rounds of consultation, and said she will wait for written confirmation from Essex County Council and the Government.

She added: “I don’t understand why it’s such a key aspect of it.”

Colchester’s Lib Dem MP Bob Russell said he still wanted to see written proof the funding and the road were linked.

He added: “I find it absolutely astonishing they have gone this far and they haven’t been able to produce any documentary evidence to confirm it.”

The second condition of the Lib Dem, Labour and independent cabinet’s approval is that public consultation is carried out, which will start immediately.

Mrs Turrell urged anyone with strong views for or against the road to take part in a public consultation, due to start by the end of the month.

Thomas Lord Audley and Alderman Blaxill schools are expected to close in August 2015, as part of the £130million reorganisation. Five schools, including Philip Morant, will be expanded.

Sue Cowans, headteacher of Philip Morant, said she could not comment on the road.

She added: “We’re very keen, as we have been right from the outset, to work with all the other schools in Colchester and also to make sure the developments on this site are considered from all angles in terms of expansion of numbers and site redevelopment.”