A ban on large vehicles going through Manningtree is being altered to allow through Buses and coaches... ten years after it came into force.

But Essex County Council says public service vehicles had access through the town and were not using the High Street illegally.

And "to clarify" the siutation, the county council is to push through an amendment to the width restriction which bans vehicles over 6ft 6ins.

A spokesperson for the county council said today the original order did not mention an exemption but buses did have access.

"The amendment is being made to regularise the order and to clarify that buses and coaches can go through Manningtree. Buses did have access and were not using the road illegally," she said.

Width restriction signs are at both ends of the High Street and the situation was highlighted when a coach driver set down passengers for a meal at the Crown Hotel in High Street.

He parked by Mistley Walls and was spoken to by police.

Town mayor Lady Hoskyns heard of the problem and told astonished councillors that, following inquiries, it appeared no written exemption had been made for buses when the order was made in 1991, although delivery lorries could go into the town.

"People aren't deliveries and it seems to have been a complete oversight," said Lady Hoskyns. "We want the buses to continue coming into the town. They are well used by older people and those without cars," she added.

It is believed it will take about a month for the amendment to come into effect.

Services to Colchester, Harwich, Clacton and Ipswich operate regularly through the town and local councillors and traders have highlighted the vital link for those living in outlying villages.

"It would be a tragedy if buses couldn't come into the town," said John Anderson, president of Manningtree and District Business Chamber.

"If people found they had to walk some distance to get to and from the shops they might go elsewhere. We also need the coaches to bring visitors into the town."

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