First Bus looking at updating route to include Stane Park

Stane Park, in Stanway, which is home to the likes of M&S, Aldi, B&Q, and Card Factory, has proved a popular destination for residents and visitors alike since being built.

However, there is currently no bus service which serves the multi-million-pound development, despite plots for bus stops being allocated and set aside in plans for the site.

On several occasions, shoppers have also aired their frustrations over the stand-still congestion which has materialised in and around the complex during busier periods.  

Colchester councillor Martin Goss, however, has now confirmed he has been in discussion with bus company First over a potential bus route which will include a stop at Stane Park.

In an email response to Mr Goss, seen by the Gazette, First said the request for a stop to be introduced at Stane Park has been “passed across to a scheduling representative”.

“We will now look at this internally and any changes we make will be posted on our website and in the timetable”, they said.

Demand - Colchester councillor Martin Goss is pushing to add bus routes to Stane Park (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Goss said: “It's important because there are people who do not drive in the city, therefore are being secluded from visiting and shopping, at Stane Park.

“It is one of the issues which frequently comes up on social media around the older generation who have bus passes or no longer drive, who are reliant on public transport.

“So if that doesn’t take them where they want to go, it is not accessible.

“The bus infrastructure is there, it just needs buses to call at those stops and drop people off.

"It may actually encourage less people to drive, as they are in effect forcing people to drive with no other accessible travel.

“It can only be a good thing and we will continue to push for it.”

Mr Goss is not the only councillor who has been pushing for the addition.

Call - Stanway councillor Jeremy Hagon has asked for the S2 bus to include Stane Park (Image: Public)

Colchester councillor for the Stanway ward, Jeremy Hagon, has called for the current S2 service to add Stane Park to its list of stops.

 “The retail and leisure parks have been very successful,” he said.

“It’s important however we secure a bus service to this side of the centre, providing an alternative choice in transport for everyone.

"The bus stops are marked out and ready to go."