Colchester City Centre could get new road restrictions as bus gate plans submitted

Plans - The junction in Colchester City  Centre
-Credit: (Image: Google Maps)


Plans to install a new bus gate in an Essex city have been submitted. Essex County Council is planning on the new road restrictions only allowing buses, motorcycles, pedal cycles, taxis, and private hire vehicles, licensed by a council to use the road westbound in Osborne Street, in Colchester.

The council is says the proposal is to help stop unauthorised vehicles from entering Osborne Street from its junction with Stanwell Street and Vineyard Gate. It is intended that the bus gate will improve traffic flow for public transport and enable improved enforcement with consequential benefits to road safety, congestion, and air quality, according to council documents.

The council held a consultation into its plans and one objection was received during the consultation undertaken by Essex County Council. The objector stated that cars using this area pose no obstruction to buses and the introduction of a camera is just another way of fining people. The objector also stated they drive through the proposed restriction as their business and parking is in the area. They stated that they have never disrupted the buses when doing this, therefore, they are upholding their objection.

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The council documents say: “The council is committed to increasing public transport usage and identifies that it is crucial to keep bus lanes free for their intended use to make bus travel more attractive to help reduce congestion and the environmental impacts of single use cars.

“A traffic survey undertaken for five days over 24-hour periods from May 3 2022, found that a significant number of vehicles are contravening the bus gate at Osborne Street at its junction with Stanwell Street and Vineyard Gate. This has an adverse impact on bus punctuality, leading to less reliable bus journey times, and presents more risks to pedestrian safety in the area.

“The bus gate at Osborne Street at its junction with Stanwell Street and Vineyard Gate is currently not supported by a traffic regulation order. It is proposed to introduce a bus gate order and undertake highway improvement works including the installation of an enforcement camera, to deter unauthorised vehicles from entering Osborne Street from its junction with Stanwell Street and Vineyard Gate.”