School closures will worsen traffic problems

12.00.00am GMT Mon 3rd Nov 2008

Fears that Colchester's traffic congestion at peak periods will worsen if two of the town's secondary schools close have been reinforced today after it was revealed that Essex County Council's own Highways Department has yet to be officially consulted by its own colleagues in the Education Department!

In a letter to Colchester MP Bob Russell, who had asked whether County Highways had been consulted, Area Highway Manager Mr Geoff Harris admitted that it would not be until the New Year - after the County Council had decided upon its preferred option - "when the detailed proposals, including those impacting upon the highway, can be considered and commented upon."

Mr Russell said: "Clearly there is a lack of joined-up thinking at County Hall. While people in Education have been busy drawing up their plans for Colchester, which would include the closure of Alderman Blaxill School at Shrub End and Thomas Lord Audley College at Monkwick, their colleagues in Highways have not been consulted formally.

"This is appalling, and the situation is made worse when it is recalled that Essex County Council has spent a huge sum of money looking at Colchester's traffic congestion problems with the pledge of spending a massive amount on seeking to overcome them - yet people in Education are bent on making the town's traffic problems even worse."

In his letter, Mr Harris told Mr Russell that "the team heading the education consultation is aware of the potential impact on travel patters and the need to consult with Highways and Transportation and others on this important issue." But he then acknowledges that it will not be until the New Year, when a preferred option to the town's secondary school proposals has emerged, that consultation on matters "impacting upon the highway can be considered and commented upon."

Mr Russell said: "I would have thought how children would be transported to schools away from where they live would have been a crucial implement in drawing up future secondary school provision in Colchester, but the Education side of Essex County Council has clearly ignored the Highways side of the Council - yet Highways have been drawing up their own strategy to tackle Colchester's congestion problem.

"I have said the education reorganisation proposals are bonkers, and the latest revelation about how the County Council will add to Colchester's traffic problems confirms this. The people at County Hall, Chelmsford, are harming - not helping - Colchester and its residents."