Buses linked by satellite could soon be on the roads of south Essex.

Traffic lights will give priority to the buses in a bid to ease traffic congestion on roads in Southend, Castle Point and Rochford.

Electronic bus shelters, already used in large cities, could also become part of the landscape.

The space-age solutions will spearhead a £1m Government-funded package of reforms to overhaul public transport and road networks in south Essex.

The notorious Tarpots in Benfleet will also be targeted in the year-long programme.

A delegation of south Essex MPs and county councillors met with the Government's transport boss Glenda Jackson two weeks ago.

Tory county councillor Ray Howard said the nightly nightmare was now nearly over for those who regularly have to endure snarled up roads.

Mr Howard, chairman of the county's highways and transport committee, said: "I'm delighted to see that our packages have been increased.

"I want immediate action to stop the snarl-up on Tarpots that has angered so many."

Three chief routes will be targeted in the overhaul. The A13 from Sadlers Farm to Southchurch, the B1014 from Benfleet station to Canvey and the B1013 through Rayleigh, Hockley and Rochford will all benefit.

A study is already being carried out by county engineers into what can be done to ease the nightmare in Benfleet.

The engineers will report back to the committee in January and work could start by March.

However, roads chiefs said providing better public transport was the main objective.

Colin Cranley, principal engineer for Essex County Council, said: "We are looking at a combination of travel choices.

"The better the bus service the more people we can persuade to travel by bus which will mean the roads will be less congested and we can all get to work quicker."

Basildon is still fighting for its share of any cash available for road improvements after missing out this time.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.