Ambitious traffic schemes encouraging people to take the bus are to be launched in Colchester.

The programme, which has won borough council backing, will see bus lanes and one-way systems installed in busy stretches of the town centre.

A bus priority scheme will be created in North Station Road, between Essex Hall roundabout and the Albert roundabout, and another will be introduced at St Botolph's Street.

This week's meeting of Colchester Council's traffic management committee heard a similar scheme from Middleborough to North Station Road was to be placed on hold while further consultations were carried out with residents and traders in the area.

The North Station Road proposals sparked particular controversy with many business arguing that reducing the amount of traffic along the street would rob them of passing trade.

But others have backed the scheme saying it is an essential step towards getting people out of their cars and on to buses.

Barry Layzell, head of the council's highway and engineering services, said questionnaires had been sent to residents and traders in the North Station Road area.

When asked about the general principle of bus lanes, 70 per cent of residents believed they were a good idea compared to 45 per cent of traders, said Mr Layzell.

Councillors heard it will cost £50,000 to implement the changes between the Essex Hall and Albert roundabouts and this would involve including a bus-only southbound lane, removing the shared cycle path on the eastern footway and creating a new cycleway on the approach to Essex Hall roundabout.

But on behalf of North Station Road traders Susan Soormally said they would be hard hit by the moves.

She added: "Unless park and ride facilities are going to be added this should not go ahead."

Mr Layzell said: "We should hold off any further movement on Middleborough while we come up with a satisfactory solution."

At St Botolph's Street a southbound bus lane will be introduced between Osborne Street and St Botolph's Circus.

There will also be a widening of St Botolph's Street at the junction with Osborne Street and a new signalled junction at Stanwell Street/Southway.

The committee also backed a plan to allow all the town's bus priority lanes to be shared by coaches, cycles, taxis, licenced private hire vehicles and motorcycles.

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