The brakes could be put on plans to charge road users for driving in the county.

Essex County Council's cabinet looks likely to oppose the introduction of charging for using the area's roads.

The cabinet wants to wait until the results of studies in the area and Government policy are revealed.

But the use of technology to manage transport systems will probably be supported by the council cabinet when it meets tomorrow.

Councillors want to know the outcomes of two schemes - the Orbit scheme, looking into transport solutions around London, and the London South Midlands Multi Model Study - before making a recommendation.

The most controversial part of the suggested strategies is the introduction of area-wide road charging after 2016.

Proposed new technology to be implemented includes intelligent transport systems such as message signing, active traffic management techniques and information systems.

The Lois study was commissioned by the Government to look at existing and future problems of travel in the area and produce a transport plan for the next 30 years.

In response to the Lois study the council is expected to support the general policy as long as suitable urban strategies are produced to show the context of some proposals.

As part of the long-term plans the council supports an advanced east to west road and rail infrastructure.

The council has previously expressed concern about pressure on the M11 south of Stansted and lack of consideration of east to west transport proposals covering travel between west Essex and the main study area.

Published Monday, April 28, 2003

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