BUS services in Colchester could soon change as a survey is carried out into routes and timetables.

Tony Mears took over four months ago as operations manager for Network Colchester, and wants to take a look at all aspects of the business.

Resulting changes to schedules will be announced towards the end of the year and brought in from January.

Mr Mears said: “I came into the job in May and we also have a new regional director. We are both new to the area and we wanted a full review of all services.

“It will take time, but hopefully any changes we want can be made in the early part of next year.”

Colchester Bus Users’ Support Group has held a meeting with Mr Mears, who was brought in when former boss Glenn Jenkins left after a five-year stint.

Members have lobbied for changes including to the No 2 bus, which serves High Woods and St John’s.

They have suggested more buses could run between the town centre and St John’s, where Network Colchester has a monopoly, if the little-used section between High Woods and Severalls Lane was cut out on some journeys.

They want the reintroduction of buses to St Cyrus Road, in St John’s, and revised schedules to cope with “service collapse” during the evening rush hour.

Secretary Peter Kay said the group had been disappointed in the past when its ideas were not taken up by Network Colchester.

But he added: “Tony Mears attended our June members’ meeting and was well received. He has offered to come to further meetings as appropriate.

“We hope therefore that we are now entering a much better period in our relationship with Network Colchester.”