THE Government has guaranteed Colchester £11.2million for a new A12 junction.

It is hoped work will start this year on the long-awaited link road near Colchester United’s Weston Homes Community Stadium.

Millions of pounds of extra cash is needed for a park and ride car park and an extension to the Northern Approach Road, both of which are crucial to making the project worthwhile.

But in time, it is hoped the junction will: l Ease traffic in Mile End by allowing commuters to drive straight from the A12 and down the Northern Approach Road without using local roads l Help trigger development of 1,125 homes on sites including the derelict Severalls Hospital, as developers will no longer have to stump up cash for infrastructure l Allow for a 1,000-space park and ride scheme, with people ferried in to town down a dedicated bus lane.

Colchester Council regeneration spokesman Lyn Barton hailed the funding announcement as huge news.

“It is absolutely superb,” she said. “It will unlock the whole of that part of northern Colchester.”

Colchester MP Bob Russell said it was a vital boost for the town.

He said: “I’m obviously delighted because for the past six years or so, I have been pushing for this to assist access to that part of Colchester.”

However, Myland Parish Council chairman Robert Johnstone warned the junction would be a “disaster” unless about £9million more is secured from a separate Government fund to pay for the Northern Approach Road extension.

He said: “As things stand, the junction will be linking up with Axial Way and the people who use it will just be adding to the terrible traffic in Mill Road and Severalls Lane.”

He added he would be “vigorously pursuing” Colchester Council planners to make sure developers who bought land at Severalls were made to cough up for community facilities.

He said: “They were originally supposed to be paying for the roads to go in, and now that is not happening, the cost of building homes up there is going to be cheaper.

“We are still waiting for a parish hall in Myland, when much smaller communities have had them for years, and that is the kind of benefit developers should contribute towards.”

Colchester Council leader Anne Turrell, a Mile End ward councillor, said there was no point speculating about whether the extra £9million would come through.

She said: “We really can’t talk about that until it happens.”

Mrs Barton added: “We couldn’t do a thing without the junction. There’s more to be sorted out, but it is definitely a good thing.”

Essex county councillor Norman Hume, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “Improved accessibility from the A12 is an important priority and will enable us to generate jobs and wealth in a rapidly expanding area.”

Colchester Green party spokesman Peter Lynn, who is standing for the county council elections in June, said: “A park-and-ride scheme by the A12 junction could reduce congestion in the town, but this will only happen if it is introduced as part of an integrated package of public transport improvements.

“We musn’t let the new junction distract us from the urgent need to make it easier and safer for people to walk, cycle or take the bus or train.”

The release of cash for the junction had been previously approved, subject to the county council submitting a business case which has now been given the thumbs-up by ministers.

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