CALLS will be made for Colchester Council to consider an upgraded bus station as part of a long-awaited development.

The council's Policy and Public Initiatives Panel is due to discuss sustainable transport in the town at a meeting on Wednesday.

Resident and bus user Nick Chilvers will ask the panel to speak to the rest of the council about including bus provision in the Vineyard Gate development.

Fresh plans for the Vineyard Gate area were announced in April, when council bosses outlined a scheme which would include retail units for independent and “boutique” shops, cafes, temporary shops and a public space which could be used for performances or exhibitions.

The idea was mooted about 15 years ago, but nothing has come to fruition since.

Nick Chilvers sent a copy of his 'Have Your Say' speech to the Gazette ahead of the meeting.

It said: "We know when Firstsite was built, the bus station moved and Essex did the best it could with a ‘bus facility’ at Osborne Street.

"As they pull into Osborne street drivers usually have to jockey for kerb space with other arrivals.

"Passengers regularly have to jump to the kerb and then trek to the centre along scruffy streets.

"Colchester Council has been trying to re-develop the adjacent area known as Vineyard Gate and new plans are promised.

"This prompted me to ask via proper channels whether the plans included giving the buses more ‘wriggle’ room and the facilities reviewed. "I expected there to have been some discussions with Essex County Council, but the answer came back saying there had been no conversations about the bus station layout."

Tim Young (Lab), councillor responsible for business and culture, said it is early days for the plans and nothing has been decided yet.

He said: "The plans for Vineyard Gate are very much in their infancy, no discussions have been had yet.

"Bus provision is not a matter for the borough council, it is for the county council.

"It depends what proposals come forward, I'm sure this resident will be listened to and his points will be noted.

"We are still waiting to find a developer to work with the borough council at this point."