CAMPAIGNERS have criticised “barmy” plans to scrap another well-used pedestrian crossing in Colchester.

Essex Highways plans to close the crossing at the top of North Hill, between Molloy’s Irish bar and Chewton Rose estate agents, on the corner of the hill and High Street.

It is part of a scheme to make the town’s new park and ride more efficient and comes after plans were rubber stamped to close the nearby crossing between the estate agents and Coral betting shop.

But campaigners have voiced safety concerns over the new plans.

They say the crossing is wellused by 3,000 students from Colchester Sixth Form College, in North Hill, as well as residents of sheltered housing accommodation Balkerne Gardens.

Bill Frame, Colchester councillor for the town centre, said: “The idea is completely barmy.

“To expect the students and also the elderly residents in Balkerne Gardens to walk further up the hill and cross in Head Street outside Yates isn’t right.

“When we knew about the first crossing (outside Coral) going, we thought: ‘We’ve still got two crossings and that’s just about OK.’ “But we just don’t understand what the intention of getting rid of this second crossing is supposed to be.”

Mr Frame added he is concerned Essex Highways chief Rodney Bass is becoming “obsessed” with the park and ride getting to the town centre as quickly as possible from its Cuckoo Farm base. He said: “There is a touch of arrogance about it.

“He is saying: ‘I know best’.

There has been no discussion and then, bang, a traffic order appears from nowhere.”

Anne Turrell, deputy leader of Colchester Council, said a strong objection will be lodged by the council at County Hall before consultation ends on May 1. She added: “This affects everybody.

It is a very well-used crossing.

“We want to encourage pedestrians to walk in the town centre, not fill it up with cars and buses.”

Adrian Frost, assistant principal at Colchester Sixth Form, said the college had objected to the plans to scrap the first crossing, adding: “We did feel there was a case for retaining the crossing and we were disappointed to hear of the plan to remove it.”

Mr Frost did not comment on the plans to scrap the second crossing.

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “The proposed revision of the pedestrian crossing locations in the town centre, including the one in this order, are part of plans to coincide with the introduction of the new Park and Ride and would allow public transport priority into the town centre to reduce public transport journey times.

“As the highways authority, we have followed the road safety audit process when considering this type of change.”