A TRAIN station could be built as part of proposals for a new 2,500-home town to the east of Colchester.

Plans set to go out to public consultation also show a new junction on the A120.

A link road connecting the A120 and the A133 are also being mooted.

The train station would be at Essex University, linking the campus and the new community to the Hythe, town centre, London and Clacton.

The plans were revealed after public consultation into so-called “garden communities” began with residents.

Paul Smith, councillor responsible for strategy at Colchester Council, and council leader, said: “We have to remember they are just proposals at the moment, which means some may or may not come to fruition.

“At this stage we are looking at all the options.

“They all have advantages but it might be that as time goes on one gets eliminated or another gets enhanced.”

Colchester Council, Tendring Council, Braintree Council and Essex County Council are working together on the plans for the three new “garden communities”.

One would be in Braintree, another near Marks Tey, and a third is being considered between Greenstead and Elmstead Market.

The infrastructure proposals have been put forward as part of the plans for the new Colchester town, but Mr Smith said the idea was they would benefit all Colchester residents.

Colchester’s fourth train station would be linked to the Clacton line, between the Hythe and Wivenhoe.

A new “transport centre” is also being considered, as is a second park and ride for Colchester, which was revealed by the Gazette on Friday.

Mr Smith said: “The new station is something we have been looking at for a long time.

“We are very clear on this - we want infrastructure in place first before any new development.

“The Government has told us we have to build 920 houses a year, we are simply outlining how we can best do that.”

A new A120 junction has been put forward to take pressure off Colchester’s roads.

It could be at the top of Harwich Road or Bromley Road.

Mr Smith said: “The new A120 junction would be a very popular move.

“If you’re looking at someone coming from Stanway to get to the university, at the moment they have to get off the A12 and plough through central Colchester and get in numerous jams at Clingoe Hill just to get there.

“If this went ahead then they could go from the A12 to A120 before heading to the university.

“It would reduce congestion, which is something we want to improve.”

New pedestrian and cycle bridges across the A133 are also being considered.

Mr Smith added: “Why wouldn’t you have people living in the garden village and working at the university or Knowledge Gateway?

“That would certainly be attractive and would mean people wouldn’t necessarily need a car if good cycling and pedestrian routes are put in.”

However, the plans are a long way off being completed.

Following the consultation, which will run this summer, Colchester’s Local Plan, which sets out which sites in the borough can be developed, needs to be rubber-stamped.

It would then rely on developers coming forward to build the homes, as well as a new school and doctor surgery.

Residents can have their say on Colchester’s Local Plan by going to colchester.gov.uk/localplan