COLCHESTER United has urged supporters not to use a busy bridge over the A12 as a shortcut to the town’s Park and Ride.

Fans who leave the Weston Homes Community Stadium have been turning left and walking along United Way before walking over the A12 bridge.

However, the route means that the supporters have to cross over two busy slip roads at both sides of junction 28 of the A12.

Instead, they are urged to turn right out of the stadium and walk to the Park and Ride via Boxted Road.

Concerns were raised at a meeting with the football club, attended by a Myland Community councillor, Catherine Clouston, and then printed in the council’s minutes.

The minutes read: “She said they had a problem with people climbing out of seats and running across the A12.

“She said they were not happy about the amount of rush hour traffic and how difficult this made it to leave the stadium.”

The councillors also said the meeting heard the club was “not happy with the new David Lloyd Club.”

The gym opened in September and almost faces the stadium.

However, a Colchester United spokesman said: “A small number of fans are leaving the stadium and returning to the Park and Ride car park across the A12 bridge.

“The club is working with fans to ask them to leave via the Boxted Road exit from the stadium site and we are hopeful the new lighting on Boxted Road will be in operation soon, to assist with safe passage to the car park after matches.”

“We have no problems with David Lloyd and have established a positive working relationship with them over the last few months. We are looking forward to working closely with them on some interesting ideas in 2017.”