YOUR recent article on our consultation on active travel in Colchester (Gazette, July 6, “Campaigners bid to halt bus gate plans”) helpfully included the weblink where businesses and residents can have their say, and I would encourage them to do so, before the consultation ends on Sunday, July 11.

To reassure your readers - it really is the case that no decisions have been made.

The whole purpose of a consultation is to allow the public and businesses to give their views and to help shape the final proposals before anything is implemented.

The best way to put your views across on all the Active Travel proposals is to complete the consultation, before Sunday, July 11, which can be found here: https://www.essexhighways.org/safer-greener-healthier/active-travel-fund/active-travel-fund-consultation-plan

Before we launched this consultation, our steering group worked closely with Colchester businesses (through Colchester BID), Colchester Cycle Campaign, Walk Colchester, Passenger Transport (Buses), Essex Sight and North Essex Parking Partnership.

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We also consulted elected representatives of all parties from both Essex County Council and Colchester Borough Council.

In short – we did engage with key community representatives before the consultation began.

The Active Travel consultation is very much about listening and there will be further engagement with businesses in the future, as well as ongoing work with the borough council.

Your views really do count and we want to hear them.

Councillor Lee Scott

Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Highways Maintenance and Sustainable Transport