Cambridge road campaigner Rory Comyn has accused police of allowing public debate to be "weaponised" after an officer visited his home regarding an online dispute with a rival activist.
The 55-year-old, who opposes a controversial bus gate traffic scheme, was questioned about alleged malicious communications including a homophobic slur.
Comyn was stunned when a constable arrived at his doorstep to question him about an online spat with rival activist Matt WinterHolt.
He insisted he had never insulted his opponent and said the alleged homophobic comment was posted by someone else who had accidentally used the surname "Winterbottom".
"He has weaponised words. It's a vexatious claim," Comyn said.
"How ridiculous that public resources were used. While the police officer was talking to me about this he was listening in his ear and saying something major was happening up the road and I thought 'Why are you here pushing a ridiculous political agenda?'"
The bus gate on Mill Road will only allow buses, bikes, emergency services vehicles, taxis and blue badge holders to cross a railway bridge.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will issue £70 fines to unauthorised vehicles.
The scheme has been a source of fierce debate among Cambridge residents for several years.
Supporters say the bus gate will transform the bustling area, making it more pleasant to visit while reducing pollution.
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Opponents argue it will increase pollution by creating congestion in nearby streets.
Business owners have warned of "catastrophic consequences" from falling customer numbers.
Protesters also claim a public consultation showing 52.9 per cent support wasn't properly conducted.
Comyn's partner, Emma Rose, is the claimant in the latest judicial review against the scheme.
Cambridgeshire County Council previously spent around £300,000 on a first attempt to impose the bus gate, including £72,000 on a legal challenge it lost in court.
A hearing for the new judicial review is expected in June.
Around 60 protesters spent several nights in November trying to disrupt construction work on the bus gate.
Last week, vandals damaged the ANPR cameras with paint.
The council installed the infrastructure at a cost of £200,000 without waiting for the judicial review outcome.
Penalty notices were due to start yesterday but cameras were disabled after workers fixed a burst water main.
A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said: "We have been contacted with reports of malicious communications online relating to a man in Cambridge.
"Officers have spoken to the victim and another man about the allegations. An investigation is ongoing."
The force has identified £5.5million of cost savings for 2025-26 and is already seeking more.
The bus gate is the latest in a series of controversial road schemes in Cambridge that have sparked public anger.
These include extra bus lanes, pop-up bike lanes reducing space for vehicles, and complex roundabouts.
Residents claim these changes have increased congestion throughout the city.
Find Out More...
The 55-year-old, who opposes a controversial bus gate traffic scheme, was questioned about alleged malicious communications including a homophobic slur.
Comyn was stunned when a constable arrived at his doorstep to question him about an online spat with rival activist Matt WinterHolt.
He insisted he had never insulted his opponent and said the alleged homophobic comment was posted by someone else who had accidentally used the surname "Winterbottom".
"He has weaponised words. It's a vexatious claim," Comyn said.
"How ridiculous that public resources were used. While the police officer was talking to me about this he was listening in his ear and saying something major was happening up the road and I thought 'Why are you here pushing a ridiculous political agenda?'"
The bus gate on Mill Road will only allow buses, bikes, emergency services vehicles, taxis and blue badge holders to cross a railway bridge.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras will issue £70 fines to unauthorised vehicles.
The scheme has been a source of fierce debate among Cambridge residents for several years.
Supporters say the bus gate will transform the bustling area, making it more pleasant to visit while reducing pollution.
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Opponents argue it will increase pollution by creating congestion in nearby streets.
Business owners have warned of "catastrophic consequences" from falling customer numbers.
Protesters also claim a public consultation showing 52.9 per cent support wasn't properly conducted.
Comyn's partner, Emma Rose, is the claimant in the latest judicial review against the scheme.
Cambridgeshire County Council previously spent around £300,000 on a first attempt to impose the bus gate, including £72,000 on a legal challenge it lost in court.
A hearing for the new judicial review is expected in June.
Around 60 protesters spent several nights in November trying to disrupt construction work on the bus gate.
Last week, vandals damaged the ANPR cameras with paint.
The council installed the infrastructure at a cost of £200,000 without waiting for the judicial review outcome.
Penalty notices were due to start yesterday but cameras were disabled after workers fixed a burst water main.
A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said: "We have been contacted with reports of malicious communications online relating to a man in Cambridge.
"Officers have spoken to the victim and another man about the allegations. An investigation is ongoing."
The force has identified £5.5million of cost savings for 2025-26 and is already seeking more.
The bus gate is the latest in a series of controversial road schemes in Cambridge that have sparked public anger.
These include extra bus lanes, pop-up bike lanes reducing space for vehicles, and complex roundabouts.
Residents claim these changes have increased congestion throughout the city.
Find Out More...