A NEW bus gate is set to be created as part of the long-awaited Queensway development in Southend, sparking fears it could be “used as a cash cow”.

Plans have been lodged with Southend Council to kickstart work on the £575million Better Queensway housing scheme, which has been beset with delays.

The documents have revealed a proposal for a new bus gate and turning lane for buses will be created on Queensway.

Bus gates are short stretches of road that can only be used by buses and authorised vehicles. Drivers who ignore the signs face being handed a fine.

Southend Council bosses say the work would allow buses stopping at the Queensway bus stop and lay-by to enter the restricted bus gate area.

The buses would then be able to use the designated traffic lights to get into Chichester Road, rather than cutting across two lanes of traffic to get to the right-hand turn lane.

According to Southend Council, the move is favoured by bus operators and will help to improve traffic flow through the busy junction.

However, bus gates have previously been branded “huge-money spinners” for councils.

In the 2022/23 year Essex County Council, which manages bus lanes in Basildon, Chelmsford and Colchester, hauled in £2.5million.

Southchurch Tory councillor Daniel Nelson believes the bus gate would not be “morally right”.

He said: “It could be used as a cash cow, but I don’t think that is morally right and only those who believe everyone’s money is the state’s money will think it morally right.

“That money can only be used on transport and this is basically the council trying to hide the fact they must borrow £21 million to have the underpass filled in.

“It will kill the city.”

Deputy leader, Labour Southend councillor Anne Jones, completely refuted the “cash cow” accusation and hit out at the Conservatives for “trying to thwart the project”.

She said: “It is a decision to enable us to allow a start in one of the most major projects since the Queensway was created, this from the Conservatives, this stalemate with them is because they cannot get their own way.

“They are trying to thwart this project, I am tired of this approach.

“I don’t want pennies out of a bus gate, I want to be able to use the funding from the government we are able to hold over.”