COLCHESTER Council bosses have backed a new charter which aims to make the town a more welcoming place for cyclists.

Colchester Cycling Campaign received unanimous support from cabinet members for its new Colchester Cycling Charter.

Focused on everyday riders, the charter calls for residents, organisations and businesses to recognise cycling’s important part to play in tackling congestion and pollution as well as boosting health and wellbeing.

It also states roads and public spaces should prioritise people and make cycling the natural choice for the majority of every day journeys.

Stuart Johnson, of Colchester Cycling Campaign, asked the cabinet to commit individually and collectively on behalf of the council to the charter.

He said: “The charter is a simple non-political statement of support for every day cycling in Colchester.

“It allows individuals and organisations to show their support for every day cycling in the town.”

Martin Goss, councillor responsible for waste, environment and transportation, said he was happy to support the charter’s aims.

“It is the way we have to go. We need to get people out of their tin boxes sitting in traffic and try and clean up the town,” he said.

David King, councillor responsible for business and resources, said the council would do whatever it could to promote the charter’s values.

He said: “What it comes down to is turning our words into action. It will be more difficult but we are going to take this away and look and see what we can do.”