A COUNCIL boss has hit back at a political rival after the latest in a long line of attacks on his authority.

Witham MP Priti Patel had slammed Colchester Council, claiming the authority was holding up plans to widen the A12 because of “last minute” changes.

But Tim Young (Lab), deputy leader of Colchester Council, hit back, accusing the Tory MP of “getting her facts flat wrong”.

Ms Patel said a final decision on the future of the A12 around Colchester was due to be taken early this year but Colchester Council had caused a delay by “pushing through, without consultation, alternative proposals”.

However, the plans were only altered after a £100 million Housing Infrastructure Fund bid to re-route the A12 at Marks Tey - backed by Colchester, Braintree and Essex councils - passed initial Government tests last month.

A final decision on the plans is expected before the end of the year.

Ms Patel said: “Confidence in Colchester Council is at an all-time low and this is the latest in a long line of calamities caused by this council.

“The A12 Widening Scheme is a flagship project to improve road safety, reduce congestion and give the economy of the whole region a boost.

“The Government have committed the money to deliver this and it is frustrating to see these delays.

“The council has had years to put forward these proposals and it is shocking they have done it at the last minute.”

The fiery Conservative also labelled Colchester Council “rotten”.

But Mr Young responded: “This is funding her own Government has put forward, for a project backed by all Essex MPs, two Conservative authorities in Braintree and Essex, as well as Colchester.

“I would suggest she has got her facts flat wrong on this and it suggests a poor grasp of local issues, which isn’t really surprising given Colchester borough makes up a very small proportion of her constituency.”

He added: “She has every right to criticise us if she disagrees with a decision we’ve made politically, but she’s well off the mark here.”