WORKERS in north Colchester are being encouraged to get on their bikes as part of a congestion-busting project.

A travel plan has been launched to ease traffic around Colchester Business Park, Easter Business Park and Severalls Industrial Estate.

The 12,000 workers are being asked to ditch their cars in favour of cycling, walking, getting the bus or sharing a car with colleagues.

Tony Fisher, senior partner at Colchester law firm Fisher Jones Greenwood, in Newcomen Way, said he would encourage staff to think of alternative ways to get to work.

He said: “I live in Stratford St Mary and I have got an electric bike, so I try to cycle in a couple of times a week. It proves that even people who live far away can find an alternative.

“There is a real problem with congestion around the industrial estate, and I really want to encourage my staff to take up more car shares, use public transport, cycle into work or walk in, if they live near enough.”

Kay Wells, project manager for the NHS, which is based at Colchester Business Park, said she often had to sit in traffic for up to 40 minutes to get in and out of work.

She said: “I travel in from Harwich and I do try to get the train or use the park and ride scheme as much as possible, although I admit I mostly take the car.

“It is very congested around here so I tend to come in a bit later and leave later to avoid the traffic, but when there are road works as well it is very difficult.”

The North Colchester Business Parks Area Travel Plan was launched on Wednesday.

The task force, which includes the Highways Agency, Essex County Council, Colchester Council and Colchester 2020 Travel Plan Club, has launched a series of events at the business parks, aimed at giving people information about the congestion-busting project.

The Highways Agency’s exhibition unit will be at the Food Factory, in the Crescent, at Colchester Business Park, on Tuesday.

For more information, visit www.travel2northcolchester.org.uk