Is it not about time Colchester woke up to the fact we have had enough of our “representatives” informing us what is good for us and the town?

With regards to the closure of the High Street to certain vehicles during the day, I have noted with interest several things: 1) I could walk or cycle, but would councillors like to walk or cycle eight miles in all weathers through congested streets?

2) I could use public transport. Sorry, it is not reliable enough and it is still cheaper for me to drive myself, also I want to get home in a reasonable time.

3) We are told there is new infrastructure to take the increase in traffic. Where have they put it? We would like to know.

4) I could use the wonderful new park and ride. Yes I could, but I have an aversion to needless wastes of time and an extra ten miles of driving, then paying £3 for the privilege of getting to town.

5) This will reduce pollution in key areas. What about the other areas that will have more pollution, especially Brook Street, which has already got more than its fair share?

For me and many others, the closure of the town centre will be another failure for the town.

Do you remember when they reduced the High Street down to one lane? That was supposed to be for a trial period, what happened? Well, the historic market was shoved to the sidelines, congestion got worse, not to mention the slowdown of the emergency services.

What about some of the other decisions? Eastern approaches – half finished. It was supposed to run into the town centre at St Botolphs. Also, with the creation of a bus lane at Hythe level crossing, it just meant the problem was moved instead of being solved.

Reduction of Queen Street to just one lane – see Colchester High Street.

Northern approaches – much the same as eastern approaches. Nice access road to the new housing estates, not very good for getting to and from the A12.

Bus lane on North Station Road between the Albert roundabout and North Station – it seems the only point of this is so drivers can drive extra mileage.

I might just add I will still have to drive to work, and now, thanks to our council, I will be driving an extra 1.2 miles a day, taking an average of 20 minutes more travel time. That does not sound much, but here is the real cost, and this is just me: Over the course of a year, 316 extra miles, cost in fuel £96 (until the price goes up), hours lost 88 (3.5 days), more pollution for the town.

Richard Lyon Stephen Cranfield Close Rowhedge ...I saw the front page of the Gazette with people voicing their objections to the closure of the High Street. Well done them!

I don’t think the council and the town planners have used that thing between theirs ears or exercised common sense. The dynamics of Colchester do not lend themselves to the same treatment as Ipswich and Chelmsford.

So what’s the solution? Oh that’s simple to anyone, except our council. The High Street needs to be put back to how it was before town planners and the council got hold of it.

It should go back to two lanes down the High Street and Queen Street, so traffic can flow properly. Also, get rid of the bus lanes, all of them, and those stupid traffic lights on roundabouts, which defeat the purpose of a roundabout. Give me a budget and six months and I will guarantee Colchester will be moving again.

If they continue with this diabolical and ridiculous scheme, Colchester will be dead in four months.

Anyone know where the funeral for Colchester will be? I wish to pay my respects.

Graham Stein

Parsons Heath

Colchester

...I am not against people standing up for what they believe in, but I don’t like it when they stand up and think they are talking for everyone. In the Gazette on Thursday, the photos showed the group against the High Street being shut off and on their signs it said: “Colchester people do not want the changes being made”.

Well, I am sorry, but I am all for the road closure and I hope it will be here to stay.

So I wish these people would stop talking on my behalf without even finding out my views first.

David Mills

Horrocks Close

Colchester