A SENIOR councillor has rejected out of hand any idea of new bus lanes on the A13 running through Southend.

Tory councillor Anna Waite spoke after Essex County Council revealed £6million plans to ease congestion on the A13 between Basildon and Hadleigh. The project could include bus lanes at various points between the Sadlers Farm roundabout and Tattersall Gardens, Leigh, which is next to the borough boundary.

However, Mrs Waite, councillor responsible for transport, has given an assurance bus lanes would not stretch into the Southend borough.

She said: “This is an Essex County Council scheme and its consultation.

“Southend Council is already making improvements on the A13 from the local transport plan and the authority’s own resources.

“The county council may be considering bus lanes, but I want to make it clear there is no change in Southend Council’s policy of opposition to bus lanes, especially on the A13.”

Traffic lights giving priority to buses, raised kerbs at bus stops and electronic information boards at bus stops are also included in the Essex County Council plan.

Plans by the former Lib Dem and Labour administration to put in bus lanes on London Road and Southchurch Road in the late Nineties led to a storm of protest from residents and traders.

Shops along both roads had windows covered with posters opposing the bus lanes plan, because businesses were fearful of losing passing trade.

The issue is one which is believed to have led in part to the Tory landslide victory in the 2000 local elections.

l An exhibition outlining Essex County Council’s £6million plans to ease congestion on the A13 will be held at Castle Point Council offices, in Kiln Road, Thundersley.

It will be open daily from Monday, February 2, until Friday February 6, from 8.45am to 5.15pm.

The proposals include replacing the mini roundabouts at Tarpots in Benfleet with traffic lights and bus lanes on parts of the A13.