DETERMINED residents joined forces to protest against plans for a controversial new bus lane.

Essex County Council hopes the bus lane would ease congestion in Lexden Road, Colchester, But the proposals have caused uproar in the community with fears it will increase collisions between pedestrians, cyclists and cars.

There are six schools along the route and it is thought the number of children in the area, combined with narrowed pavements and vehicles, would lead to injuries.

Hundreds of people marched into town on Saturday morning with banners displaying messages such as “Killer bus lane” and “There must be an alternative” while traders cheered.

Resident Simon Wright, 46, who lives in Lexden Road described the proposals as “unnecessary”.

He said: “The main issue is all the schools. There is no real traffic problem except for a bit in the mornings and evenings.

“At 9am it’s busy with school children from all of these schools.

“The buses park on the road. It’s just a waste of money and it’s dangerous.”

The bus lane would link Glen Avenue to the Maldon Road roundabout and the town centre.

To build the bus lane, the width of the footpath on the north side of the road, possibly as far as Oaks Drive, will be reduced.

It would also mean the existing south side path would have to be made into to a shared footway and cycleway path.