A MAJOR town centre roundabout could be redesigned in a bid to tackle air pollution, improve access for businesses and crack down on anti-social behaviour as road bosses gear up for traffic to increase by nearly half in the next 15 years.

Highways bosses have already revealed schemes for Colchester which include changes on Lexden Road, widening on Colne Bank Avenue and the replacement of pairs of mini roundabouts in Harwich Road and Ipswich Road in with single islands.

But now feasibility studies have been carried out on how to improve St Botolph’s roundabout which connects Magdalen Street, Mersea Road, Southway and St Botolph’s Street.

Full details about the scheme have not been realised yet but an Essex Highways spokesman said: “We are investigating improvements to St Botolph’s roundabout, looking to create a key gateway access point into the town centre.

“The key objectives are to support regeneration and stimulate economic growth while improving air quality and traffic flow while reducing anti-social behaviour.

“Details will be released and public information events arranged outlining the scheme proposal once the investigations have been completed.”

The scheme was revealed ahead of a Colchester Council Local Plan meeting after members asked for plans for and update to be provided about transport plans for the borough.

Other mooted schemes include changes around North Station, improvements to Queen Street, a possible link between the A120 and the A133 as part of the development of the eastern garden settlement and work on the junction between Warren Lane and Maldon Road close to Colchester Zoo.

Chairman of the Colchester and District Driving Instructors Association Mark Cole said he believed there was little wrong with the St Botolph’s roundabout.

He said: “The only thing I would do is change the yellow box junction and I cannot see the point of it being there.

“Sometimes these schemes are brought about without talking to people who use the roads on a daily basis.”

According to the report, roads in and around Colchester will have to cope with an increase in traffic of 40 per cent during peak times by 2032.

At the moment, 200 different locations in the borough have demand which is greater than traffic capacity at peak times.

Mr Cole said: “They are snookering themselves with the number of houses being built.”