CAMPAIGNERS fear shelved plans to reverse the traffic flow in a residential town centre street are back on the agenda.

Essex Highways bosses had hoped to reverse the flow in Priory Street before Colchester’s park and ride opened in April, without having to consult residents.

But residents and staff, parents and governors at St Thomas More Primary School, off Priory Street, joined forces to fight the plans.

The proposals were shelved in the runup to recent elections after officers eventually agreed a consultation would have to be carried out.

Now, three information days are to be held in the school after Essex Highways’ officers contacted headteacher Bridget Harris directly.

She said: “We are still very much against the plans. All the residents are against it. We have to put the children first. That is what we want the county council to understand.”

Stewart Bond, chairman of Priory Residents’ Association, said: “Our objections still stand. We were promised we would be kept up to date with the plans and no consultation was due to start, but it appears we have been misled.”

At present, motorists can only access Priory Street from Queen Street. But under the proposals, drivers could only get into the street from East Hill.

Campaigners have consistently said changing the direction of traffic would turn the street into a rat-run to the town centre and could lead to pedestrians – including pupils – being injured.

The information events are due to run between 3.45pm and 6pm on Tuesday, July 7 and Wednesday, July 8. A third event will take place on Saturday, July 11, between 10am and 3pm.

A county council spokesman said the content of the consultation was still being worked on ahead of the three events.