TRANSPORT bosses are considering building either a second park and ride or a new tram system in Colchester to cope with a huge influx of new homes, it can be revealed.

Blueprints have been put forward to build two 2,500-home garden settlements to the east and west of Colchester.

Now the Gazette can reveal, in order to deal with one of the settlements, east of Greenstead, local plan and highways bosses are looking at building either dedicated ‘guided bus ways’ or trams into the town centre.

Existing bus routes could also be improved.

A Colchester Council spokeswoman said: “We believe that there will be the demand into Colchester to promote a rapid transit system.

“The actual type of system has yet to be decided but the study has presented options which range from improving the bus system and network, to dedicated guided bus ways or tram.

“Further assessment work is required to explore these options in more detail.”

The information came to light after a report went before Colchester councillors stating: “As part of the evidence base for the new local plan, transport modelling work has been undertaken on future development scenarios to gain a better understanding of associated infrastructure needs.

“A specific piece of work has been undertaken on rapid transit to support potential growth in east Colchester.”

The local plan sets out what land can be developed for homes and commercial premises on between 2017 and 2032.

As well as the second garden settlement, west of Marks Tey, the plan also includes 250 homes in Wivenhoe, 678 in Stanway and 600 in West Mersea.

It is unclear if any work has been carried out into whether a rapid transit system could be built to link new developments west of Colchester.

Essex County Council is set to hold a consultation into how the existing park and ride service could be improved.

Monday’s meeting, which will also include a feedback session on new design and promotions, will take place at Colchester Library between 4.30pm to 6.25pm.

'Going in the right direction'

PLANS for a rapid transit system into Colchester town centre are a step in the right direction, according to local plan committee chair Martin Goss.

Mr Goss has been responsible for collating sites across the borough on which homes or businesses premises could be built.

He said: “As chair of the committee, I know we need major investment in the transport infrastructure in both east and west Colchester. 

“These sorts of things need to be there. The local plan will not work without investment.

“But as well as these plans, I think we will need a whole new infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and also car access - because there are people who will not get out of their cars.”

He added: “A park and ride or a rapid transit corridor would be good between the new developments and the town.

“What I would say is, let’s make sure we’re getting the existing park and ride functioning correctly before we move on to a second.”