MOTORISTS who chose an elevated highway as their preferred option to deal with Ely crossing’s traffic nightmare were “ill-informed” by their local council, a councillor has said.

Cllr Ian Allen says the “necessary information to make an informed choice was kept from them by a manipulative council”.

He has now urged East Cambridgeshire District Council to “strive to build the best case they can for whatever is the best option to ease congestion in Station Road, at reasonable cost and minimal environmental damage”, warning: “It is not their job to indulge the gung ho attitudes of members with little recognition of the long-term effects of their myopic visions.”

The local authority has said it will investigate all options for the road even though a public consultation showed 81 per cent of people favoured Route B.

Their investigations will include environmental assessments, ground investigations and meetings with Network Rail engineers, as well as consultation with English Heritage.

“It is important to remember that no decision has yet been made in favour of any particular option,” growth and planning cabinet member Councillor Ian Bates said.

“No one should underestimate our resolve to tackle the problems caused by the current level crossing situation once and for all. If we get it right, we can help to enhance the city of Ely in a way that will benefit residents, businesses and visitors.”

And East Cambs District Council leader Peter Moakes added: “Resolving the traffic congestion around the Ely Railway crossing will show our commitment to creating the infrastructure required to support the long term economic growth of our city, district and county.”

However Cllr Allen said: “The money committed, that the council can ill afford, may well turn out to be poorly spent if, when the bypass triggers a public enquiry, the finding is that pre-application consultation work was flawed.”