Housing plan raises concerns over traffic (From Gazette)

Housing plan raises concerns over traffic

8:00am Wednesday 23rd December 2009 in

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A COUNCILLOR has spoken out against plans to build 2,200 homes in Colchester because of traffic congestion concerns.

A Colchester Council blueprint for the borough’s development earmarks the triangle of land between the A12, Mile End Road and Bergholt Road, for housing.

Martin Goss, ward and parish councillor, said the development was “a recipe for park and jam”.

He added: “I live here and do not want to be associated with dumping yet more houses on the area without serious infrastructure investment.”

Mr Goss said main routes through Mile End, particularly Bergholt Road, had not been designed to cope with the traffic using them now, let alone the extra cars more houses would generate.

The council’s Local Development Framework will undergo a further round of public consultation in February, with two sessions organised for Mile End residents.

Mr Goss said he expected people to put forward “strong views” against further building.

He added: “It’s agreed in principle to have the housing, but the more noise we make the better chance there is of proper thought going in to the design to get a transport system that works.”