TODAY could be D-Day for plans to reorganise secondary school education in Colchester.

It has been claimed the whole £130million project could hinge on whether planning permission is granted to build a new access road to Philip Morant School.

That decision will be debated at a meeting tonight. Warnings have been sounded that if the road gets the thumbs-down, the coalition which currently runs the council could be brought to an end.

The Colchester Council cabinet has eight members. Three of them, the Labour and Highwoods Independent Group, have said they intend to vote for the road to be built.

Of the five Lib Dem members, group leader Martin Hunt cannot vote because he has campaigned against the access road in the past. This leaves its fate in the hands of four Lib Dems, who say they will hear evidence, including from Essex county councillor responsible for education, Stephen Castle, before making a final decision.

Labour group leader Tim Young said if it was not approved it would be called in and debated at a panel meeting next week, which would decide whether the cabinet should have another look at the decision.

And he warned if the road were blocked again, it could sound the death knell for the council’s coalition cabinet.

He said: “If they reject it a second time, then I think we would be in a very serious situation. Potentially, it could be very serious, and we would have to have talks with the coalition partners to see if we could continue.

“It is that much a matter of principle. We’re talking about £130million of investment in education.”

In October, a full meeting of Colchester Council saw a majority vote in favour of allowing the road to be built.

The following week, the cabinet agreed to follow the wishes of the full council, but only if the county council and the Government proved the £130million would be withdrawn without it. Debate still rages as to whether that would be the case.

A consultation was also carried out, with 1,176 Colchester residents against the road being built and 310 in support.

Those opposed said the road would result in a loss of open space and more traffic, with some voicing doubt the £130million was dependent on it being built.

Those in favour said the road would alleviate traffic problems at the school, which is due to expand in the coming years.

Colchester Council is comprised 27 Conservative, 23 Lib Dem, seven Labour and three independent councillors since elections in May last year. If either Labour or independent group withdraws from the coalition, the Lib Dems would lose their majority.