A COUNCILLOR has come under fire for his “lack of clarity” over plans to create a new bus gate in Colchester.

Lee Scordis, Essex county councillor for Abbey Division, has been accused of failing to inform residents fully about the council’s plans to set up a bus gate banning cars from entering North Station Road from Middleborough.

Colchester’s High Steward Sir Bob Russell has criticised Mr Scordis’ leaflet delivered to residents in the North Station Road area about the bus gate for not being clear enough about the plans.

Sir Bob said in a letter to Mr Scordis: “What your leaflet does not spell out is that traffic would be banned from entering North Station Road from Middleborough for those travelling from south to north.

“The term bus gate is not universally understood whereas the words no entry most certainly are.”

Sir Bob also claims Mr Scordis has been aware of the proposed No Entry plan from January.

The plans are part of a wider raft of changes planned for Colchester as part of County Hall’s Safer, Greener, Healthier scheme to encourage active travel.

However, residents and business owners are concerned the changes will force anyone travelling to North Station Road from the town centre to take a diversion along the already congested Westway.

Sir Bob also said Mr Scordis should have notified residents and businesses on the full details of the proposals.

However, Mr Scordis said a group of cross-party officials, members of Colchester Business Improvement District and council cabinet members were involved in regular meetings regarding these changes, along with council officers and members of Colchester Cycling Campaign.

Essex County Council is running a consultation on the proposals.

Mr Scordis added: “I have some concerns regarding the bus gate but that it why it is vital we hear back from local people.

“The scheme itself is much bigger than a bus gate. My main priority is to see vital improvements to the public realm, reduce carbon emissions, make the street safer for the school-run and make active travel a safer and more pleasant experience for this thoroughfare leading towards the town centre.”

Visit bit.ly/3gSYqhX to see the consultation.