A CAMPAIGNER who has opposed disruptive £10m roadworks billed as an “improvement” to Colchester has claimed the scheme could be redundant within a decade.

Lee Scordis has also labelled the plans as a “missed opportunity” and said the cash should have been set aside for other projects across the town, including ailing cycling infrastructure and public transport routes.

But Essex County Council bosses have strongly refuted his claims, citing a lack of understanding of the situation.

Mr Scordis, whose Essex County Council division includes much of Colchester town centre, said: “What we have seen has been a total mess and we’re likely to see 18 more months of traffic jams.

READ MORE: Petition to speed up 'nightmare' Ipswich Road roadworks

“No-one asked for this scheme and £10 million could have been spent on much more sustainable and longterm projects.

“Businesses are being hurt, air pollution is rising and people are losing valuable time with their family.”

A petition launched calling for highways bosses to speed up the roadworks has garnered more than 2,500 signatures.

Mr Scordis added: “We are now past the point of no return as the mini roundabouts have been removed and the contract has been signed but I certainly support the petition to speed up these roadworks.

“What is most startling is that a senior engineer has admitted that the scheme will be redundant in five-to-ten years due to growth and the increase in car usage. So after two years of congestion we could then [almost] be back to square.”

The labour member added: “There are other much more sustainable and long-term projects this could have been spent on. This could have radically improved the cycling infrastructure and public transport routes around Colchester with an aim of getting people who make short journeys to use other modes of transport.

“The current scheme feels like a missed opportunity and we will most likely see another large scheme in this area in a decade.”

Responding directly to Mr Scordis’ ten-year claim, an Essex County Council spokesperson said: “This is absolutely not a view held by Essex County Council and is certainly not something any of our employees have said .

“This is a multi-million pound project, we would not invest this degree of funds into something we did not consider a long term solution.”