Controversy surrounding the planned £100m facelift for part of Colchester rumbles on.

Council bosses on Wednesday night called for "an act of faith" from critics of the regeneration of the St Botolph's area.

A special monitoring group has been set up to give the masterplan more consultation and more detailed consideration.

The cabinet meeting at the town hall heard how the task and finish group will report its findings and any developments back to the cabinet.

Leader of the council John Jowers (Con, West Mersea) told the meeting the revamp could make the town the cultural centre for the region.

However, campaigners continued to lay into the project, with the relocation of the town's bus station remaining the prime target.

Rob Brown, of the Priory Road Residents' Association, said he was pleased with recent amendments to the revamp.

But he said: "We still believe major problems remain with the relocation of the bus park. It is like squeezing a quart into a pint pot."

The bus station is set to move from Queen Street to Osborne Street.

Published Friday July 2, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Gazette