Colchester’s Unused Bus Gate Set for Removal After Nine Years

A council has indicated that a bus gate, which was installed nine years ago and has never been part of a bus route, is slated for removal. According to documents from Essex County Council, the bus gate located on Olympic Boulevard in Colchester may be replaced with “no entry” signs for traffic in both directions, despite no bus services operating on that road. A Freedom of Information request submitted by the Daily Gazette last year revealed that no fines have been issued since the bus gate, a short section of road accessible only to buses and authorised vehicles, was implemented in 2015. Residents have until Friday to submit their comments or objections regarding the proposal to the council. The council stated that the “no entry” restrictions are being introduced to prevent motorists from using Olympic Boulevard as a cut-through. It further noted that bus services had been proposed for the area previously but were not moving forward. Additionally, the proposal encompasses plans to implement parking restrictions along certain sections of the road, which links Via Urbis Romanae and Mill Road within the city’s Mile End area. Bus stop markings were painted on the road several years ago, and some drivers currently park in these areas due to the absence of an operational bus route. Should the plans move forward, Essex County Council intends to lower the speed limit on Olympic Boulevard and nine adjacent roads to 20mph (32km/h).