Robust action to tackle a car park gridlock has been called for to stop people being put off visiting Colchester.

Politicians want the problems which have led to long jams at the NCP car park in Osborne Street solved urgently.

The plea came at a a meeting of councillors on Monday night, just as scores of motorists were stuck in a third bout of jams, this time at the Nunns Road NCP car park, because of Colchester Council ordered roadworks.

Cars were backed up to the fifth floor during Monday's rush-hour because of a lane closure at Middleborough, while alteration work continued - including installing a bus lane - which when finished is meant to ease congestion.

Knock-on effects were felt in the Dutch Quarter and North Hill.

One motorist using the Nunns Road NCP car park said: "If this carries on they'll have to make the workmen start earlier in the morning. Otherwise this will happen every single night."

The man added that NCP attendants were having to mark back prices so parkers were not paying for the time they were queueing.

Colchester Council's highways chief Barry Layzell apologised unreservedly for the problems, saying it was a one-off which would not happen again.

The backlog was caused by contractors working through the rush-hour after getting a late delivery of concrete.

Mr Layzell said: "It is quite clear they cannot work on that basis with a single lane in peak hours and we will not let that situation happen again."

At Monday's council cabinet meeting Robert Davidson (Con, Pyefleet) asked members to act on the "continuing frustrations" around Osborne Street and St Botolph's.

Motorists had to endure hours of inching their cars along when the car-park was left at a virtual standstill for up to three hours on Saturday. There had been a similar problem the week before, both caused by traffic light defects.

Colchester Council's Tory transport chief Chris Arnold vowed to get county bosses to sort the problems.

The system was meant to be eased by new traffic lights due in the spring, but this has been postponed because of contractual delays until the end of August.

Mr Arnold said: "The borough council does not provide the traffic signalling service the contractors are provided by Essex County Council.

He had asked for the bus lane to be suspended on Saturday or traffic lights switched off, but was told this was too hazardous at St Botolph's which, before traffic lights were installed, was an accident blackspot.

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