POLLUTION levels in expanding north Colchester could reach harmful levels unless action is taken, it is feared.

Members of Myland Community Council worry the creation of two massive housing estates along with a new sports hub will bring more traffic to already busy roads.

John Stewart, chairman of Myland Community Council, and fellow councillor Pete Hewitt, say a forthcoming ban on HGVs on one road as well as the retention of a popular green space will help - but more needs to be done.

Mr Hewitt said: "Traffic levels will increase in north Colchester with the Chesterwell and Severalls housing developments and the Northern Gateway and we are aware of air quality being an issue.

"When we started talking about it, some colleagues were saying static vehicles will be a problem if held up at a junction and particularly outside schools.

"We know Colchester Council measures for nitrogen dioxide and there are two devices for this in Mill Road.

"Our ward councillor colleague asked for them to introduce one of the measuring devices in Bergholt Road.

"We also want Colchester Council to have a discussion about what other areas where it be a good idea to have a measuring device."

Mr Hewitt suggested the junction of Mill Road and the Northern Approach Road, would be another good location due to already heavy traffic levels, as well as close to the recently opened Camulos Academy school off the via Urbis Romanae.

The Chesterwell housing development, which will have 1,600 homes, and the Severalls housing site, ultimately with 730 homes, will be off Boxted Road and the Via Urbis Romanae.

The existing measuring devices in Mill Road are close to Myland Primary School and the Colchester Rugby Club.

Mr Hewitt said the existing pollution measures in Mill Road recorded "acceptable levels" but the concern is these will only rise or remain the same.

"We would like to explore what we can do going forward.

"What's it going to be like when more traffic comes onto the scene?"

He added the council was keen to work with Colchester Council to come up with ways to reduce pollution.

"One of the obvious suggestions is to encourage as much tree planting as possible.

"Going forward we could have electric buses and things like that. We have got to think of practical ways."

Meanwhile a ban on HGVs on most of Mill Road looks set to come into force as early as next year.

Myland Community Council asked Essex County Council to enforce the ban between its junction with Severalls Lane and the Via Urbis Romanae (VUR) road.

The VUR opened in 2015 and community councillors say it serves as a route for HGVs wanting to get to the A12 instead of using Axial Way.

The ban, if agreed, would span almost a mile and would be enforced by a number of warning signs.

Colchester Council also recently agreed 12 acres of the Mill Road playing fields will be protected from development.

The bid was made in the Myland and Braiswick Neighbourhood Plan and was campaigned for by Myland Community Council.